De la Espriella Seeks to Regulate Protests in Colombia
The government of Abelardo De la Espriella is preparing new regulations governing the right to protest that seek to modify the rules authorities follow during public demonstrations. The proposal, drafted by the Ministry of the Interior, headed by Rodrigo Lara, is contained in a 24-article draft decree that will be open for public comments until […]
The De la Espriella administration in Colombia is drafting a document to regulate protests, with a focus on university campuses. The 24-article draft decree, prepared by the Ministry of the Interior, aims to update rules governing state response to demonstrations, strengthen prevention and coordination among authorities, and clarify when public force can intervene.
President Abelardo De la Espriella announced police could enter public universities when acts of violence, vandalism, or terrorism occur, signaling a government approach to distinguishing peaceful protest from violent conduct. The Ministry of the Interior asserts that priority should be given to dialogue and mediation over intervention measures during demonstrations.
The draft contains provisions covering everything from the planning of mobilizations to police intervention, including identification of those committing violent acts, police presence during demonstrations, and a minimum distance of four meters between police and demonstrators. The proposal also maintains dialogue and mediation as tools for managing protests, though it specifies that dialogue will not prevent action against people committing violent acts.
Weapons, assaults, and blockades would trigger police intervention. The National University, a major hub for protests, is a recurring issue. The government seeks to clarify who must ensure the continuity of essential services during blockades, establishing clearer criteria for distinguishing blockades that affect supplies, healthcare, or medical missions from other disruptions.
The new proposal extends the government's approach to university campuses, where De la Espriella ordered police to operate in response to acts of violence, vandalism, danger, or extraordinary disruptions to public order. The draft is not yet a final regulation and will undergo public comments until October 4, further emphasizing the balance between protecting the constitutional right to protest and the state's authority to respond to violent demonstrations.
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- Colombia seeks to tighten checks on public protests colombiareports.com
