IACHR warns of human rights impacts of growing unrest in Bolivia and calls for dialogue

November 8, 2024

Washington, D.C. — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the offices of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (SFROE) and the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) express grave concern over the escalating social unrest in Bolivia and its impacts on human rights and governance. The State must respect and uphold human rights during protests and strengthen democratic spaces for dialogue to resolve disputes.

On September 17, a faction of the Movement for Socialism–Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (MAS-IPSP) began protests to demand acknowledgment of former president Evo Morales's leadership, among other grievances. The protests paused before resuming in the form of road blockades on October 14, following the announcement of criminal proceedings against the former president for alleged cases of sexual abuse and human trafficking. The blockades intensified on October 27, following reports of an armed attack on a vehicle in which Morales was traveling. The State attributed these events to a police operation, which Morales has acknowledged.

As of November 4, the Bolivian Highway Administration reported 16 active blockades, 15 of them in Cochabamba. These blockades have impeded the movement of ambulances, access to medical services, and the transportation of essential goods like rice, flour, and fuel. The State claims that protesters have used explosives and homemade weapons. In response to the protests, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal postponed judicial elections to December 15.

The Executive has announced joint operations by the National Police Force and the Army to dismantle the blockades. Meanwhile, the Ombud's Office has raised concerns that this dismantling was being carried out by nonstate groups. The Ombud's Office has reported at least 63 arrests during these operations, expressing concern about potential violations of judicial guarantees and inhumane conditions of detention.

The IACHR has observed that violent clashes have taken place at the blockades. According to official reports, confrontations between protesters and the police in Parotani on October 25 left 28 injured, including 21 police officers. Further violence took place there on November 1, leaving at least 39 people injured, among them 34 police officers. October 29 saw clashes including detentions, violence, and threats against police officers and journalists covering the events in Mairana, Santa Cruz. Some 44 injuries were reported, including 42 police officers. On November 1, military premises in Villa Tunari were occupied and military personnel were illegally detained, and the State reported the kidnapping of two police officers in Capinota, Cochabamba, on November 3.

Since these protests began, the SFROE has documented at least 30 attacks on journalists and media workers covering events for both public and private media outlets. These include detentions, physical assault, theft, destruction of equipment, threats, and restrictions on reporting, as well as stigmatizing comments that seek to discredit their work. Public reports indicate that most of these attacks were committed by individuals involved in the blockades.

The State is obliged to guarantee, protect, and facilitate public demonstrations, including exhausting all measures for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, promoting broad and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders, and ensuring that citizen security enforcement tasks are only performed by constitutionally authorized state forces. The right to protest does not include acts of violence. Likewise, the State has a duty to enable journalists to go about their work, guaranteeing their safety when covering events of public interest such as social protests. Authorities must investigate and punish acts of violence against the press, regardless of whether they are perpetrated by public officials or private individuals. The IACHR and REDESCA emphasize that protesters involved in blockades must not jeopardize the lives of others or block access to essential supplies and services.

High-ranking authorities and all those in leadership positions who speak publicly about these events must ensure that their remarks foster an environment of open, pluralistic, public debate. The continuity of democratic processes, including judicial elections, and public institutions must be safeguarded at all times.

The IACHR expresses deep concern over the increasing social conflict in Bolivia, noting that similar circumstances in Bolivia's recent history led to severe human rights violations. The State must uphold its international commitments to prevent the recurrence of such events. It must also step up efforts to establish genuine spaces for dialogue that include all sectors of Bolivian society, across the political spectrum. On this point, it observes that the Executive has made at least seven public calls for dialogue.

Political leaders must prioritize dialogue to de-escalate conflict, avoid further polarization, and contribute to democratic governance. The IACHR notes that it will continue to monitor the situation in Bolivia and support the implementation of recommendations from its country report, which provides practical guidelines for mitigating the effects of political polarization.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to promote and protect freedom of thought and expression across the Americas, acknowledging its crucial role in fostering and strengthening democratic systems.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to better promote and protect economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights across the Americas and to lead the IACHR's efforts in this area.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 282/24

2:30 PM