LIMA, July 15 (NNN-ANDINA) — The Council of State called on the citizens who will participate in the July 19 march to exercise their right to peaceful demonstration.
In a statement read by Prime Minister Alberto Otarola, the authorities are called to apply, in accordance with law, the legitimate use of force and ensure the safety of the people who will join the march.
“We call on male and female citizens who want to exercise the right of assembly, the right to demonstrate and protest to do so peacefully; and we call on authorities to apply, in accordance with law, the legitimate use of force and to guarantee the safety and integrity of those who will participate in the march, as well as the peace and calm of those who decide not to do so,” Otarola stated.
The reading of the statement from the Council of State took place in the presence of President Dina Boluarte, as well as of the heads of State-run powers and autonomous organizations, who also attended the meeting.
The heads of State-run powers and constitutionally-autonomous bodies reiterated their commitment to defend the country’s democratic system, governability, and institutionality, within the framework of their powers and autonomy.
“We remind (the citizenry) that, according to the Political Constitution, Peru is a democratic republic in which the full exercise of public liberties is guaranteed,” Otarola said.
“As representatives of various (Peruvian) State organizations, we reiterate the call to guarantee the full validity of human rights, protect the population from threats to their safety, and promote general well-being that is based on justice, as well as on the comprehensive and balanced development of our society,“ he added.
The Cabinet chief affirmed that the Peruvian State has been progressively implementing the recommendations issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), following its report in relation to the protests that took place between December 2022 and February 2023.
This event saw the participation of the heads of Congress, Jose Williams; the Judiciary, Javier Arevalo; the Constitutional Court, Francisco Morales; the Comptroller’s Office, Nelson Shack; and the National Justice Board, Imelda Tumialan.
It was also attended by Ministers Jorge Chavez (Defense), Vicente Romero (Interior), and Cesar Vasquez (Health); Ombudsman Josue Gutierrez; and National Elections Board representative Delia Espinoza.
The Council of State is the body that brings together the highest authorities of the three State powers.
It is composed of the President of the Republic, as well as the chairs of Congress and the Judiciary.Its objective is to discuss issues of high urgency for the country.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Vicente Romero said that the Peruvian National Police (PNP) will be drastic and firm with those who break the law and cause disturbance during the march called for Wednesday, July 19.
“Those who attempt to generate violence will be imposed a firm hand, in accordance with law,” Romero emphasized in remarks to TVPeru.
The Cabinet member indicated that the PNP still does not have a record of marches towards the capital city, Lima. Nonetheless, it is on maximum alert in order to ensure security throughout the national territory.
“People arriving from the country’s interior regions have not yet been detected. There is a series of information on social media in this regard, but most of that is false,“ he said.
The Interior sector’s head emphasized that the PNP relies on a general operations plan that will enable it to be prepared for this march called “La Toma de Lima” (Takeover of Lima), in order to ensure the safety of the population that will move through the city, either for work or study purposes.
“(…). Given these protests that are being announced, the (Peruvian National) Police has a very well-structured general operations plan at the national level, as well as relies on the personnel and logistics necessary to provide security and support to all Peruvians, especially on Independence Day holidays,” he pointed out.
Romero inaugurated the new northern base “Los Halcones” (The Hawks) in Lima’s Independencia district. It will serve to strengthen the efforts by the police and the municipality of this jurisdiction.
“I congratulate the police agents for their work. Let’s build a better Peru and an Independencia district away from drugs, violence, and crime. The law protects the PNP,” Romero said.”(We must be) firm and strict with those who break the law,” he added. — NNN-ANDINA
