UN human rights report blasts Bolivian opposition

[Judi Lynn]

UN human rights report blasts Bolivian opposition
Submitted by WW4 Report on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 19:52.

The UN High Commissioner of Human Rights issued a report March 25 finding that opponents of Bolivian President Evo Morales were responsible for some of the Andean country's worst human rights violations last year. The report found that pro-autonomy forces in Bolivia's eastern lowlands were behind political violence in September that killed 11 people in the Pando department.

The report also criticizes Morales' government for "irregularities" surrounding the arrests that followed the violence, "excessive use of force by security forces," and "the lack of necessary action among authorities responsible for preventing human rights violations." Following the presentation of the report, Bolivian Justice Minister Celima Torrico told a press conference that Morales' government "will take the recommendations into account."

But the report gave the government high marks for improving "economic, social and cultural rights," noting that Morales has helped reduce servitude-like working conditions affecting much of the country's indigenous majority. But the report also noted a backlash to the government's efforts, finding that in 2008 there was an increase in "reported acts and practices of racism and discrimination against indigenous persons" and "attacks against human rights defenders." (IHT, UN Human Rights Council, March 25)

http://www.ww4report.com/node/7089

[Peace Patriot]

1. Look what I found in roaming around trying to find this original UN report:

Bolivia: Total gas operation illegal
Submitted by WW4 Report on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 18:45.

Bolivia's Vice-Ministry of Lands issued a decree March 11 against US rancher Ronald Larsen for illegally allowing the French oil major Total to explore for hydrocarbons on his sprawling property in Santa Cruz department. The decree nullifies Larsen's 2004 contract with Total allowing an exploration well on his Caraparicito hacienda, finding it had not received approval from the national government. Last year, Total announced that the well, Incahuasi X1, was producing 1 million cubic meter a day. (UPI, March 11)

Ronald Larsen is a prominent leader of the right-wing resistance movement to Bolivia's new land reform.

http://ww4report.com/node/7042

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Wasn't looking for it. Just stumbled upon it. Mr. Larsen again.

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Also (this one on topic)...

Bolivia had launched the National Action Plan for Human Rights, which would be implemented through the National Council for Human Rights, whose membership was comprised of civil servants, non-governmental organizations, civil society, indigenous people and rural farmers. Bolivia was committed to uphold economic, cultural and civil rights for its people and in this respect welcomed the report of the High Commissioner. However, Bolivia noted that there was a imprecision in the report and asked, what source or reason was used to say that the Government of Bolivia aimed to enforce judgments onto judges for reasons related to the outcomes they decided in certain proceedings?

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SODA-7QGNXH?OpenDocument

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Still haven't found the original report. I was wondering what the source was for: "The report also criticizes Morales' government for 'irregularities' surrounding the arrests that followed the violence, 'excessive use of force by security forces,' and 'the lack of necessary action among authorities responsible for preventing human rights violations.'"

My guess: The U.S.-funded/organized fascist rioters and murderers were complaining that the Morales government didn't act quickly enough to stop them from destroying their own movement with mass murder. Crazy, yes, but the rightwing is nuts, there and here. As for "'irregularities' surrounding the arrests that followed the violence," and "excessive use of force by security forces," I imagine that Morales or those enforcing his orders had rather run out of patience with these fascist fuckwads who had beaten up police officers and soldiers whom Morales had ordered not carry guns and not to shoot back. What I see in that sentence above is probable twisting of the truth, so typical of rightwing whining and complaining when they lose, whether a coup or an election, there or here. I think it's notable that Bolivian officials were questioning the source of reports on their interference with judges. I would like to know the source for "irregularities" and "excessive force" surrounding the arrest of these fascist assholes, coup plotters, murderers and tools of the Bush Junta.

[magbana]

2. Excellent, Peace Patriot. Thanks for this n/t