Victims of state violence in Argentina’s Jujuy province are being thrust back into the spotlight as Amnesty International calls for justice two years after the events unfolded. In a recent report, Amnesty International highlighted the necessity for reparations and assurances of non-repetition following the 2023 protests, which were sparked by constitutional reforms initiated by Governor Gerardo Morales.
The reforms in Jujuy, which included significant changes to the region’s governance, led to widespread dissent. Protesters were notably drawn from a cross-section of society, including teachers’ unions, indigenous communities, leftist parties, and a faction of the Jujuy Justicialist Party. The demonstrations were met with a forceful response characterized by Amnesty International as involving excessive and arbitrary use of force, including the deployment of tear gas and rubber bullets, which resulted in numerous injuries.
A particular case noted by Amnesty is that of Joel Paredes, who was injured while participating in the protests as a drummer. The rights organization documented these events through extensive photo and video evidence, concluding that the actions by state authorities and police might have contravened international human rights laws. This has raised significant concerns over violations such as the absence of free, prior, and informed consent during the constitutional reform process, restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly, and instances of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Furthermore, the protests brought to light issues related to the modifications made to the Jujuy constitution. These changes included a restructuring that weakened the power of checks and balances against the executive, imposed restrictions on freedom of expression, and exacerbated the exploitation of indigenous communities amid a surge in lithium mining activities.
In light of these concerns, Amnesty International returned to Jujuy in late May to engage with local authorities, steadfast in their pursuit of justice, potentially involving legal reforms and increased accountability mechanisms for the actions of police and state officials. The situation in Jujuy presents an ongoing challenge, with human rights at the forefront of the discourse on governance and civil liberties in the region.