MONTEVIDEO (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2019) Bolivia's former President Evo Morales in an interview with Sputnik warned the country's armed forces that they will not be able to avoid being held accountable for cracking down on protesters, saying that international law was superior to the interim national government's decree allowing the military to suppress the demonstrators.
Last week, Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez issued the decree stipulating that Bolivia's armed forces were exempt from criminal liability for possible offenses perpetrated while restoring order following her ascent to power. The decree was criticized by the Organization of American States (OAS) that said that at least 23 people had been killed and more than 700 others had been injured in the recent clashes between the security forces and demonstrators rallying against Anez' government.
"I would like the Armed Forces to know that international norms are above any law or decree and you will not be able to avoid responsibility. There were crimes against humanity," Morales said on Wednesday, commenting on the growing number of casualties during the protests against the Bolivian interim government.
The OAS human rights commission announced on Tuesday that it would pay a working visit to Bolivia from November 22-25 to look into the country's human rights situation amid the ongoing protests.
Anez came to power after the resignation of Morales earlier in November amid violent protests against results of presidential elections, in which he secured his fourth term in office. Morales then fled to Mexico, calling the situation in Bolivia a coup. However, the ex-president's supporters engaged in fresh rallies against Anez' government, which led to violent clashes with the security officers.
