Peruvians Speak Out to Defend Their Democracy and Human Rights
17 NOV 2020 | WOLA STATEMENT
New Interim President Sagasti Must Now Tackle Corruption, Hold Violators of Human Rights to Account, and Ensure Inclusive Elections in April 2021
Peruvians took to the streets in massive numbers over the past week to peacefully protest a takeover of the presidency engineered by a coalition of political parties in the Congress. Outrage over the power grab intensified when security forces repressed demonstrators with brutal violence, killing two young people and injuring scores more, while also carrying out mass arbitrary detentions.
Peruvians’ courage in defense of their democracy was rewarded on November 15 when Manuel Merino stepped down as interim president—only a week after Merino and congressional allies had unconstitutionally ousted Martín Vizcarra from the presidency. After Merino’s departure, Congress selected Francisco Sagasti of the centrist Purple Party to become the new legislative leader, positioning him to succeed Merino as Peru’s interim president. Sagasti is a former World Bank official who was serving in the legislature for the first time and had refused to ally with Merino’s corrupt circle in ousting Vizcarra.
Sagasti’s swearing-in as president on November 17 is testament to millions of Peruvians’ demands for a responsive and accountable government. Mirtha Vásquez, a lawyer with the National Human Rights Coordinator of Peru and also serving as a first-time lawmaker with the Frente Amplio party, was elected vice president of Congress and will thus serve as head of Congress with Sagasti’s elevation to the presidency.
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President Sagasti inherits daunting challenges, as Peru reels from the devastating health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to tackling the pandemic, the new government must also advance Peru’s fight against corruption.
More:
https://www.wola.org/2020/11/peruvians-speak-out-to-defend-their-democracy-and-human-rights/
