In a shocking display of police brutality, Bolivian officers are said to have pepper sprayed and electric shocks without reasonable cause.
In a protest led by people with disabilities for more welfare support, demonstrators ended their protest in La Paz to a heavy confrontation with riot police.
Protesters on crutches and in wheelchairs struggled with police in which several people were injured.
“Disturbing reports and images from near Plaza Murillo seem to show the police lashing out indiscriminately against the protesters, many of whom were using wheelchairs,” said Guadalupe Marengo, Deputy Americas Program Director at Amnesty International.
The government should launch a full investigation concerning the events that too place at the protest.
If there is any question of police brutality against people with disabilities it should not be ignored.
Tell Bolivia: Investigate Police Brutality Against People with Disabilities!
We the undersigned urge the Bolivian government to issue a full investigation concerning the protest that caused riot police to use electric shocks and pepper spray against people with disabilities.
Witnesses have suggested that police brutality took place at the La Paz protest.
Such accusations should be addressed immediately to ensure the safety of all Bolivians that come into contact with riot police.
Please launch a full investigation as soon as possible.
We thank you for taking our comments and concerns into serious consideration.
