A/HRC/43/45/Add.1
factors that may contribute to limited transparency and limited access to information,
including the antiquated information management system, a low level of digitization in
public administration, a lack of capacity in collecting accurate, comprehensive and
disaggregated data, and limited public disclosure of information.
48.
There is currently no legislation specifically regulating the scope and operational
aspects of the right of access to information. As underlined in principle 20 of the guiding
principles on human rights impact assessments of economic reforms, the Government
should ensure that both quantitative and qualitative data concerning planned economic
policies are available, accessible and delivered in a timely and transparent manner. More
effective social control would surely contribute to more efficient public spending in all
areas, including State-owned corporations and infrastructure projects.
H.
Democracy, the rule of law and development
49.
The aftermath of the presidential elections on 20 October 2019 has revealed the
fragility of the fabric of democracy in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Mr. Morales’s
proclamation of his victory, amid allegations of electoral fraud, triggered protests and
violent clashes between opposing groups and between protesters and security forces in
several regions of the country. After three weeks of intensifying civil unrest, the
Government called for new elections. Nevertheless, the military high command made a
statement suggesting that Mr. Morales should resign, which he did the same day. Mr.
Morales fled to Mexico, Cuba and then Argentina, where he has been granted asylum along
with other senior members of his Government.
50.
The unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by the police and army against
the protesters after the elections – in particular after the resignation of Mr. Morales – has
been widely reported and condemned by regional and international observers. 95 The most
violent repression of protests by the police and military forces, in Sacaba and Senkata on 15
and 19 November 2019 respectively, have resulted in the killings of at least 18 persons,
many of whom were reportedly unarmed protestors supporting Mr. Morales.96 According to
the Ombudsperson, the post-election violence has, to date, left 35 people dead and 832
people injured and resulted in the arrest and detention of 106 people.97
51.
The downfall of Mr. Morales has unleashed racist and discriminatory attacks against
indigenous peoples, fuelled by long-simmering sentiments. Indigenous peoples have been
reportedly killed, attacked and humiliated in a number of cases and subjected to hate speech
and acts of hostility, such as the burning of the Wiphala flag. 98 The Permanent Council of
the Organization of American States has specifically condemned the racist and
discriminatory acts of violence against indigenous peoples. 99 Furthermore, a number of
senior leaders of the Movimiento al Socialismo party have been prosecuted for or accused
of serious crimes, such as crimes of sedition and terrorism, 100 creating fears of a witch-hunt
among the party’s leaders and supporters.
95
96
97
98
99
100
16
Bolivia”, Cuadernos de Coyuntura, No. 21 (December 2018); and Ray Gallagher and Sanborn,
“Standardizing sustainable development?”.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Bachelet says repression as
well as unnecessary and disproportionate use of force risk inflaming situation in Bolivia”, 16
November 2019.
Organization of American States (OAS), “CIDH presenta sus observaciones preliminares tras su
visita a Bolivia, y urge una investigación internacional para las graves violaciones de derechos
humanos ocurridas en el marco del proceso electoral desde octubre de 2019”, 10 December 2019.
Available at www.oas.org/es/cidh/prensa/comunicados/2019/321.asp.
Ombudsman’s Office, “Afectación a derechos en conflict elecciones 2019”. Available at
www.defensoria.gob.bo/contenido/afectacion-a-derechos-en-conflicto-elecciones-2019.
OAS, “CIDH presenta sus observaciones preliminares”.
Permanent Council of OAS, resolution CP/RES. 1142 (2268/19) rejecting violence in Bolivia and
calling for full respect of the rights of the indigenous peoples in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, 18
December 2019.
OAS, “CIDH presenta sus observaciones preliminares”.
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