03:43Peru: Thousands rally for new constitution in Lima
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Lima Saturday to demand a new constitution and for those responsible for two protesters' deaths to be brought to justice.
Protesters were seen gathering in Lima's San Martin Square as part of a 'Fourth National March,' dancing and holding placards calling for a new constitution.
"Throughout this decade, all those who have governed have done so on the basis of Alberto Fujimori's constitution," said Agora Popular Cultural Association representative Guillermo Bermej. "If we want to change things in Peru, what do we have to do? What should we do? We must change the constitution."
"We have already realised that this 1993 constitution only worked in maintaining and filling the pockets of large and wealthy entrepreneurs. It has not favoured the people at all," said protester Magdalena Vega.
Protesters subsequently marched across the Peruvian capital's city centre to reach the Palace of Justice.
Great numbers of Peruvians took to the streets throughout the country and around the world after Congress voted to oust President Martin Vizcarra, over corruption allegations and his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, replacing him with Manuel Merino, who was next in line as leader of Congress.
Protesters described the move as a 'parliamentary coup,' pointing out that 68 of Peru's 130 members of Congress have pending investigations or sentences for corruption, abuse of power and murder, among other charges, and that attempts to impeach Vizcarra followed his announcement of a referendum to end parliamentary immunity. He had also dissolved Congress in 2019, calling for snap elections which are planned for April of 2021.
Though protesters welcomed Merino's resignation, they are pressing on with demands to end parliamentary immunity, for the return of protesters who have gone missing, and for those responsible for human rights violations to be brought to justice. Peru's Public Ministry has opened an investigation for human rights violations against Merino, as well as Prime Minister Antero Florez Araoz and Interior Minister Gaston Rodriguez.
03:43Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Lima Saturday to demand a new constitution and for those responsible for two protesters' deaths to be brought to justice.
Protesters were seen gathering in Lima's San Martin Square as part of a 'Fourth National March,' dancing and holding placards calling for a new constitution.
"Throughout this decade, all those who have governed have done so on the basis of Alberto Fujimori's constitution," said Agora Popular Cultural Association representative Guillermo Bermej. "If we want to change things in Peru, what do we have to do? What should we do? We must change the constitution."
"We have already realised that this 1993 constitution only worked in maintaining and filling the pockets of large and wealthy entrepreneurs. It has not favoured the people at all," said protester Magdalena Vega.
Protesters subsequently marched across the Peruvian capital's city centre to reach the Palace of Justice.
Great numbers of Peruvians took to the streets throughout the country and around the world after Congress voted to oust President Martin Vizcarra, over corruption allegations and his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, replacing him with Manuel Merino, who was next in line as leader of Congress.
Protesters described the move as a 'parliamentary coup,' pointing out that 68 of Peru's 130 members of Congress have pending investigations or sentences for corruption, abuse of power and murder, among other charges, and that attempts to impeach Vizcarra followed his announcement of a referendum to end parliamentary immunity. He had also dissolved Congress in 2019, calling for snap elections which are planned for April of 2021.
Though protesters welcomed Merino's resignation, they are pressing on with demands to end parliamentary immunity, for the return of protesters who have gone missing, and for those responsible for human rights violations to be brought to justice. Peru's Public Ministry has opened an investigation for human rights violations against Merino, as well as Prime Minister Antero Florez Araoz and Interior Minister Gaston Rodriguez.