30 August 2011 | News | Human rights
No Rights
Chilean students face violent repression by the police: 16 year-old killed.
The Chilean student movement, which has organized massive protests in the past few months, is demanding the government led by right-wing Sebastian Piñera to stop the repression against their claims and to debate publicly with the leaders of the movement.
It has been reported that the most fundamental rights of the students have been violated, and the police is treating them as criminals, beating them and making them strip in front of police officers.
Yesterday, the National Police dismissed an officer due to the death of Manuel Gutiérrez Reinoso, a 16-year old who was shot and killed during the protests that took place in the framework of the national strike called by unions last week.
According to police authorities, the officer shot two times “to the air” with a 9mm Uzzi gun, although they stated that the Investigation Department of the Police will determine the true responsibilities in the event.
Hundreds of people attended Manuel Gutiérrez funeral and demanded justice and blamed the police for what happened.
Camila Vallejo, one of the most visible leaders of the student movement, demanded the resignation of the Minister of the Interior, Rodrigo Hinzpeter.
Also, the leader made reference to the proposal of dialogue with Piñera’s administration made by Piñera himself which was a surprise for the government, and said that it is not possible to have a dialogue if the police repression continues.
“We can’t have a dialogue when the other part is repressing us”, the leader said.
The members of the student movement demand other things before a discussion with the government to take place, such that the Executive stops sending education bills to Congress. They also want the debate to be broadcast publicly, “in favor of transparency and in order for the people to hear the different positions involved in the debate”, according to Europa Press.
