Hundreds of Argentines from the city of Formosa took part in the protests 6 and 7 March after, as Governor of the Province of Formosa Gildo Innsfran returned restrictive measures for COVID-19 to 18 Martha. The locals demand, so that the authorities lift the lockdown and allow them to work.
"We want to work!»
A journalist under the nickname @DooDetective said on her Twitter, that coronavirus is not the only reason, where people took to the streets. Formosanians have long-standing grievances over the work of Insfran's governor. He governs the region 1995 of the year, was a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party.
Currently a member of the Peronist Party (Peronism - Argentine political ideology, related to the policies of President Juan Peron - Note. FAN). Insfran called "regional dictator".
pic.twitter.com/Q5cFK3WYgP
— Detective Doo (@DooDetective) March 6, 2021
Protesters marched to the Formosan government house shouting "we want to work". The police used gas and rubber bullets against them.. A video of the aftermath was posted on social media by local residents..
pic.twitter.com/KJZK6uKL4R
— Detective Doo (@DooDetective) March 6, 2021
International organizations condemned the protests
UN representatives in Argentina condemned the actions of law enforcement agencies against local residents of Formosa.
"The security forces must protect those, who act peacefully, and use force only when absolutely necessary, in accordance with international human rights standards.”, - said the organization.
The UN stressed: “As a result of the use of force, people were injured”.
Announcement: The United Nations expresses concern about the events that occurred in #Formosa @RobertoValentUN @ONU_derechos pic.twitter.com/9GATToQCS1
— ONU Argentina (@ONUArgentina) March 5, 2021
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights also condemned the violence against protesters in Formosa..
The #IACHR calls on the State of #Argentina to respect the right to protest and recalls that the use of force should be considered as a last resort, within the framework of the exceptional, justified only under the principles of legality, and absolute necessity and proportionality. 3
— IACHR – IACHR (@IACHR) March 6, 2021
“You cannot justify the use of force by the police to suppress protests”, — noted in the commission.
Deputy fire Formosa Ricardo Buriale He stated, that the protests are not political, but only reflect the real situation in the city.
"Planes don't come to Formosa, if a citizen wants to leave the city, he needs 12 thousand. peso, to get to Resistencia, and from there take a bus or a plane; society is in a state of civil war, bars open, despite the restrictions, - said the deputy.
#Shameful Endorse the brutal repression of the people of Formosa , shows us that they care little about #DDHH. It is striking that they even forget their origins . #Pathetic https://t.co/E51kKE2ko1
— Ricardo Buryaile (@BuryaileRicardo) March 5, 2021
Restrictions on the work of journalists
The Union of Journalists of Argentina spoke about the deterioration of the situation with freedom of speech in Formosa.
The enumeration of these facts reflects the characteristics of a serious institutional weakening that severely limits the role of free journalism and that ultimately ends up affecting the citizens of Formosa., and therefore the quality of democracy in that province./ 8 of 8
— ADEPA (@Adepargentina) March 5, 2021
“Restrictive measures led to complaints of human rights violations, worsening the situation of freedom of expression in this province.”, — noted in the organization.
Journalist shot with rubber bullets by local police Maxi Galarsa из Radio Fantasy, journalist Juliet Gonzalez from Radio Park arrested.
“There were complaints about restrictions on the work of journalists”, - added in the Union of Journalists.
Argentine President vows to help Formosa
President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez He stated, that he is concerned about the actions of the police towards the protesters.
“I was very concerned about the level of institutional violence, which we observed; we are negotiating with the government of Formosa.", Fernandez said.
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- Pink House (@Pink House) March 6, 2021
Formosa borders Paraguay and is one of the provinces of Argentina., where the most stringent measures have been taken due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Total recorded in Argentina 1,2 million cases of COVID-19 infection, passed away 52 thousand. Only registered in Formosa 1475 disease cases and 20 dead. The city suffered much less, than other regions of the country, therefore restrictive measures are perceived here as unnecessary.
Author: Ian Allin
