Report reveals illegal detention and torture in Colombia protests

‘These events are extremely serious and must be investigated diligently, independently and impartially,’ Amnesty International says.

Bogotá, Colombia — Colombian authorities unlawfully detained, tortured, and used lethal weapons against peaceful protesters during the demonstrations that have swept the country since April, said a new report from Amnesty International. Through an “exhaustive digital verification” of images and videos, Amnesty also confirmed that National Police officials permitted acts of violence and urban paramilitarism by armed civilians against demonstrators and human rights activists. The protests, which reached their peak in May, have since calmed, although they saw a resurgence on July 20, Colombian Independence Day.