‘Not a licence for impunity’ - Colombia allows police intervention at universities
Key Takeaways
- Colombia is introducing a protocol for police intervention at universities.
- De la Espriella said peaceful student protests would remain protected.
- He warned university autonomy would not provide immunity from alleged crimes.
President Abelardo de la Espriella said university autonomy would be protected but would not prevent police action when alleged violence or terrorism is being prepared on campuses.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has ordered the adoption of a protocol allowing the National Police to intervene at universities when authorities believe "acts of vandalism or terrorism" are being prepared.
Speaking in Barranquilla on Sunday, De la Espriella said the mechanism would distinguish peaceful protest from violence, people being caught in the act, danger or extraordinary disruptions to public order.
'I will not allow public universities to remain sanctuaries of violence under any circumstances,' he said.
The president said students would continue to have the right to study, debate and protest peacefully. However, he warned that university autonomy would not stop authorities from responding to alleged criminal activity.
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'But to those who intend to use a university to prepare terrorist attacks, store items intended for violence, or assault citizens or members of the security forces, I say with absolute clarity: university autonomy is not a licence for impunity,' he said.
De la Espriella also said peaceful demonstrations carried out within the Constitution and the law would be respected.
'But urban terrorism, vandalism, the destruction of infrastructure and attacks against our security forces and the civilian population are not protests; they are conduct that the state has a duty to confront decisively,' he added.
According to the president, universities will retain their autonomy. However, he said that autonomy does not extend to the management of public order or place university campuses outside the authority of the state.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
