<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/17/argentina-president-javier-milei-security-guidelines-protests-currency-devaluation>
"Human rights activists in Argentina have expressed consternation over new
security guidelines to crack down on an anticipated wave of protests after the
incoming government of libertarian president Javier Milei devalued the
country’s currency by more than 50%.
Protesting individuals and organizations will be identified with “video,
digital or manual means” – and then billed for the cost of sending security
forces to police their demonstrations, said Milei’s security minister, Patricia
Bullrich, as she announced the new protocol on Thursday.
“The state is not going to pay for the use of the security forces;
organizations that have legal status will have to pay or individuals will have
to bear the cost,” Bullrich said.
The aim of the new rules is to prevent a traditional form of protest known as
piquete, in which demonstrators blockade city roads and highways for hours,
days – and sometimes even weeks at a time.
“We have lived for many years under total and absolute disorder. It is time to
put an end to this method, to the extortion suffered by citizens,” said
Bullrich, who added that demonstrators could “protest on the pavement”.
Human rights groups and opposition legislators expressed concern at the rules
which they said would essentially criminalise legitimate protests.
“Under the promise of order [the government] seeks to suppress public protest
against the effects of official measures,” said the Centre of Legal Studies
(CELS) in a statement. “The measures attack the right to protest and
criminalize those who demonstrate and persecute social and political
organizations.”
Leftist legislator and former presidential candidate Myriam Bregman said on X
(formerly Twitter): “What Bullrich announced is absolutely unconstitutional …
The right to protest is the first of all rights.”
José Luis Espert, a legislator in Bullrich’s Together for Change alliance,
which is in coalition with Milei’s Liberty Advances party, replied with a
three-word phrase: “Prison or bullet.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
