Colombia publishes draft decree on regulating protests — Colombia Reports

The Colombian government has published a draft decree intended to update the rules for holding public protests. The document was published several weeks before regional anti-government actions that trade unions and civil society organizations plan to hold ahead of a nationwide strike in November, Colombia Reports reports.

Changes to the 2021 decree

The draft is intended to update Decree No. 3 of 2021, issued several months before the nationwide strike that, according to the outlet, was violently suppressed by police and the military. The document is intended to regulate the authorities' response to protests and the coordinated use of force in response to acts of vandalism and violence.

The draft also defines the procedure for dialogue between protest participants and law enforcement agencies to maintain the peaceful nature of demonstrations. Separately, it provides for restrictions on the use of police intelligence against protest organizers and participants.

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Social tensions

According to the draft, the effective criminal prosecution of those detained during protests is proposed to be ensured through enhanced surveillance and a permanent police presence. The document appeared amid social tensions that, according to the outlet, intensified after Abelardo de la Espriella took office as president in August.

The outlet notes that the president announced measures aimed at repealing the reforms of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro. Escalating student protests have been publicly accused of allegedly being fueled by rebel groups. De la Espriella also warned that police could enter universities if they found evidence that they were being used to prepare acts of vandalism or terrorism.