Peruvian police and soldiers given 'licence to kill' protesters five years after Bagua violence

by Guest Tue Jul 01, 2014 9:31 am

Five years after more than 30 people died in a bloody battle between police and environmental protesters in Peru, police and the armed forces have been granted a “licence to kill” demonstrators.

The move has sparked fears among human rights groups that there will be no reprieve for any excessive use of force as the mining industry continues to push into indigenous lands in Peru.
The country is one of the world’s largest producers of silver, copper and minerals and the Peruvian Government has granted mining licences for huge parts of rural provinces.
Local communities worried about its effect on their farmland and way of life, as well as pollution in rivers, have come into conflict with authorities through years of protests.
In June 2009, 33 people died in Bagua in the Amazonas region, when police and protesters clashed at a road blockade over a new law allowing mining companies to enter indigenous territories without the community’s consent.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/peruvian-police-and-soldiers-given-licence-to-kill-protesters-five-years-after-bagua-violence-9574484.html

by Ben Reilly Thu Jul 03, 2014 4:36 am

Far too true in that part of the world -- if it's not run by a corporate interest, it's run by a cartel (same thing?).

Peruvian police and soldiers given 'licence to kill' protesters five years after Bagua violence

Peruvian police and soldiers given 'licence to kill' protesters five years after Bagua violence

Re: Peruvian police and soldiers given 'licence to kill' protesters five years after Bagua violence