Argentina’s Right to Protest Under Threat: Urgent Call for Protection of Civic Freedoms

Social and human rights organizations have expressed grave concerns over the brutal suppression of a protest in Buenos Aires on March 12, 2025, which targeted economic cuts affecting retirees. Using excessive force, police actions resulted in numerous injuries and detentions. The Argentine government’s recent measures to criminalize protests threaten civil liberties and democratic rights, prompting calls for accountability and the protection of dissenting voices.

On March 12, 2025, social and human rights organizations voiced their grave concerns regarding the excessive repression of social protests in Argentina, specifically during the “march for the retired” in Buenos Aires. This protest, which has occurred weekly for several months, opposes severe cuts to pensions and medical provisions amidst a harsh economic adjustment plan. Law enforcement actions aimed at dispersing the protest were deemed abusive and contrary to international standards protecting the right to protest.

The disturbing incidents included injuries to over twenty individuals, with 114 detained, among them minor children. Notably, an 87-year-old retired woman was assaulted by the Federal Police, and a photographer, Pablo Grillo, was severely injured by a tear gas canister, currently in critical condition. Additionally, schoolchildren were affected by the gas while leaving class, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of police actions taken against various demographics.

The heightened violence is attributed to a new government protocol allowing security forces to disperse demonstrations and carry firearms during protest situations, actions that were previously prohibited. Following the issuance of new regulations in December 2023, any protest featuring street blockades is criminalized, thereby creating an environment where demonstrators can be targeted more easily.

The Argentine government has increasingly adopted a narrative framing protests as threats to national stability, labeling demonstrators as “terrorist leaders” or as engaging in an attempted coup d’état. Recent comments from the Minister of Security emphasize the government’s stance on criminalizing protests and threatening expulsion of migrant demonstrators, further eroding democratic spaces.

This environment of repression and the accompanying governmental rhetoric pose significant risks to democratic rights, including freedom of expression and the right to protest. The pattern of violence and intimidation reveals alarming trends, with more than 93 arbitrary detentions reported throughout 2024 and hundreds injured during dissipating protests.

The civil society organizations expressed solidarity with the Argentine populace’s demands for improved living conditions and called upon authorities to adhere to international law. They urged for accountability regarding police misconduct and assessed the consequences of escalating authoritarianism not only within Argentina but across the Latin American region. They also advocated for a supportive environment for dissenting voices, reinforcing the importance of democracy and human rights.

The recent repression of social mobilization in Argentina raises serious concerns regarding human rights and civil liberties. With reported detentions and injuries among peaceful protesters, the government’s increasing authoritarian measures create a challenging environment for democratic expression. Activists and organizations are calling for accountability and adherence to international norms to protect the right to protest, underscoring the necessity of safeguarding democratic values in Argentina and beyond.

Original Source: www.omct.org