A video showing a protester being smashed between two Chilean police vehicles has inflamed complaints about the government's reaction to two months of continuing street demonstrations.
The video circulated widely by rights groups and local news media shows an armored vehicle used to launch tear gas veering sharply to partially run over and protester and then smash him into a police water-cannon vehicle.
Click to Gallery
A video showing a protester being smashed between two Chilean police vehicles has inflamed complaints about the government's reaction to two months of continuing street demonstrations.
Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for Human Rights Watch, tweeted that the police acted “with extreme brutality” and said the officers and commanders involved in the incident should be fired and prosecuted.
“Images such as those of the youth hit in Plaza Italia don't leave anyone indifferent,” said the governor of the metropolitan region, Felipe Guevara, in a tweet. “As a government and above all as governor, I profoundly lament what occurred and I send strength to him and to his family.”
A U.N. human rights report released this month accused Chilean security forces of serious human rights violations, including deaths, torture, sexual abuse and the use of excessive force.
Police reported that they have launched 856 internal investigations, and they have fired eight riot police accused of “serious breach of protocols.” Most cases are ongoing, more are ready for judgement and other officers have been acquitted, officials said this month.
The first vehicle then wheels around and drives off through a scattering crowd of demonstrators as some rush to aid the fallen man, who was in serious but stable condition Saturday, the Las Condes clinic reported.
Protesters clash with the police in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Chile marks a second full month of unprecedented social revolt that has not only altered the country's political landscape but also prompted a referendum on reforming the country's dictatorship-era. (AP PhotoFernando Llano)
Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director for Human Rights Watch, tweeted that the police acted “with extreme brutality” and said the officers and commanders involved in the incident should be fired and prosecuted.
The head of the National Human Rights Institute, Sergio Micco, visited the injured youth in the hospital.
Officials, too, expressed dismay.
Anti-government demonstrators run away from a cloud of teargas during clashes with the police in Santiago, Chile, Friday, December 20, 2019. Chile is a celebrating second full month of unprecedented social revolt that has not only altered the country's political landscape, but has also pushed a referendum on the reform of the country's dictatorship. (AP PhotoFernando Llano)
“Images such as those of the youth hit in Plaza Italia don't leave anyone indifferent,” said the governor of the metropolitan region, Felipe Guevara, in a tweet. “As a government and above all as governor, I profoundly lament what occurred and I send strength to him and to his family.”
He said the incident and its context would be investigated.
Chile has been roiled by continuing and sometimes violent street protests since Oct. 18, when a student protest over a modest increase in subway fares turned into a much larger and broader movement with a long list of demands that largely focus on inequality.
An anti-government demonstrator dressed in a Santa Clause costume has his face rinsed with a mixture of water and baking soda to relieve the effect of teargas during clashes with the police in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Chile marks a second full month of unprecedented social revolt that has not only altered the country's political landscape but also prompted a referendum on reforming the country's dictatorship-era. (AP PhotoFernando Llano)
A U.N. human rights report released this month accused Chilean security forces of serious human rights violations, including deaths, torture, sexual abuse and the use of excessive force.
Prosecutors are investigating more than two dozen deaths attributed to incidents during the protests.
Friday's incident involving the protester occurred in the historic Plaza Italia, which has been a focus for many of the demonstrations.
A police office is enveloped by a cloud a teargas after an anti-government demonstrator threw it back at the police in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Chile marks a second full month of unprecedented social revolt that has not only altered the country's political landscape but also prompted a referendum on reforming the country's dictatorship-era. (AP PhotoFernando Llano)
Police reported that they have launched 856 internal investigations, and they have fired eight riot police accused of “serious breach of protocols.” Most cases are ongoing, more are ready for judgement and other officers have been acquitted, officials said this month.
Police clash with anti-government demonstrators in Santiago, Chile, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Chile marks a second full month of unprecedented social revolt that has not only altered the country's political landscape but also prompted a referendum on reforming the country's dictatorship-era. (AP PhotoFernando Llano)