- Title: Emotions run high as dozens protest in Madrid against Colombia's Duque
- Date: 16th September 2021
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 16, 2021) (REUTERS) PROTESTER YELLING (Spanish) "DUQUE, MURDER, GENOCIDE" PROTESTERS CHANTING (Spanish) "MURDERER" AS THEY HOLD SIGN READING "RESISTANCE" IN SPANISH PROTESTERS YELLING (Spanish) "THE BIGGEST TRAFFICKER IN THE WORLD IS CALLED IVAN DUQUE, PRESIDENT OF COLOMBIA, HE IS THE NUMBER ONE PERSON CARRYING OUT GENOCIDE IN COLOMBIA. COLOMBIA'S
- Embargoed: 30th September 2021 18:06
- Keywords: Colombia Duque in Spain Ivan Duque New Economy Forum protest
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001EUYZAYV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Dozens of Colombians in Madrid protested outside the venue where Colombian President Ivan Duque delivered a speech at an event organised by the conservative New Economy Forum on Thursday (September 16).
Carrying a banner reading "Resistance" the demonstrators called Duque a murder and accused him of genocide.
Spanish police moved protesters away from the venue triggering anger and tears among protesters who demanded to be allowed to demonstrate.
"This is all we can do, talk, yell and protest, you're taking that away from us here too," a tearful protest said to police.
Since 2019 a series of demonstrations against Duque's unpopular government have led to more than 40 civilian deaths, according to government figures. Victims' families, their lawyers and human rights groups say many of the deaths are driven by heavy-handed policing.
Though the army has a long record of rights abuses and unlawful killings during Colombia's six decades of civil conflict, urban police forces were until recently widely thought of as better-trained and more professional.
Despite international outcry including from the United Nations and European Union, and assurances from Duque those responsible would be brought to justice, only one police officer has so far been detained, under house arrest, for the killings during protests a year ago.
A police spokesman said that officers convicted of abuses would be punished to the full extent of the law, but it was for prosecutors to prove their guilt.
The government says at least 29 people were killed during the two months of protests: those figures include three police officers and several protesters killed by civilians, according to officials. Colombian rights group Temblores has said police are responsible for as many as 44 killings.
The heavy death toll in this year's protests - which led to the withdrawal of the unpopular tax and health reforms and the resignation of the finance minister - prompted the government to pledge better human rights training for police and increase oversight of officers.
The president has also blamed police violence on a few bad apples and said cases were being dealt with promptly.
In his speech at the New Economy Forum Duque addressed the issue of violence in his country.
"We have been able to reach a lawful peace and I want to point out that our government doesn't play politics with peace, but we have a policy of peace based on truth, justice, reparation and no repetition," he said.
The president will visit a book fair in Madrid on Friday (September 17) where Colombia is the guest country, but his presence is set to generate controversy after his government was accused of leaving out authors critical of the government.
(Production: Marco Trujillo, Catherine Macdonald) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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