U.N. warns situation might spiral out of control in Bolivia, urges political dialogue

Record ID: 1438691

  • Title: U.N. warns situation might spiral out of control in Bolivia, urges political dialogue
  • Date: 25th October 2019
  • Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (OCTOBER 24, 2019) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** POLICE IN STREET FIRING TEAR GAS CANISTERS POLICEMEN ON MOTORBIKES IN STREET FIRING TEAR GAS GIRL WALKING THROUGH CLOUDS OF TEAR GAS IN STREET POLICEMEN MOVING BIN FROM MIDDLE OF STREET, BURNING BARRICADE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (OCTOBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS BUILDING U.N. NEWS BRIEFING ONGOING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY (OHCHR) SPOKESWOMAN, RAVINA SHAMDASANI, SAYING: "We have reports of police using force against protesters, including with tear gas, in a manner that may violate basic principles on the use of force. According to the Special Force to Combat Crimes, at least 80 people have been detained, and 19 police officers have been injured during the clashes. Preliminary data from the Ministry of Interior indicates that at least eight civilians have been injured in the context of confrontations." LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (OCTOBER 24, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MARCH TOWARDS SUPREME ELECTORAL COURT VARIOUS OF PROTESTER CHANTING IN STREET WEARING CLOWN MAKE UP FROM MOVIE "JOKER" PROTESTERS SHOUTING AT POLICE (Spanish) "JOIN US" RIOT POLICEMEN LOOKING ON GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (OCTOBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY (OHCHR) SPOKESWOMAN, RAVINA SHAMDASANI, SAYING: "We remind the authorities of their obligation to respect the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and to distinguish between violent actors and peaceful demonstrators. We call on all actors, including political leaders and their followers, to exercise restraint, in order to reduce tensions, and to urgently engage in a genuine and meaningful dialogue to address political disagreement. Otherwise, there is a serious risk the situation will spiral out of control." CAMERAMAN U.N. STAFF AND JOURNALISTS UNITED NATIONS BUILDING
  • Embargoed: 8th November 2019 11:33
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
  • City: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: Government/Politics,United Nations
  • Reuters ID: LVA001B2LIFK7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The United Nations on Friday (October 25) urged Bolivian political leaders to engage in a "meaningful dialogue to address political disagreement", warning that there was a serious risk that the situation may spiral out of control.
    A final vote count by Bolivian authorities on Thursday handed leftist President Evo Morales an outright victory as thousands of angry protesters marched against him chanting "fraud," allegations that threaten to mar his fourth term.
    With 99.99% of votes counted by Bolivia's electoral board, Morales secured a 10.56 point lead over his closest rival Carlos Mesa, narrowly avoiding a risky run-off vote.
    The remaining 0.01% of ballot sheets were voided but represent just over 500 votes, well short of the 30,000 needed to change Morales' first-round victory.
    Morales, already Latin America's longest-serving president, will now govern South America's poorest country from 2020 to 2025 for a total of 19 years in power.
    (Production: Marina Depetris)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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