A collection of human rights groups from Buenos Aires have released a statement in support of the Chile's protesters, offering their solitary to the “people of Chile.”
The statement, signed by 11 organisations, condemned what it described as “the militarisation and repression of President Sebastián Piñera.”
Thousands of Chileans flooded the streets of Santiago and other cities for a general strike on Wednesday, upping the pressure after days of social unrest that left 18 dead.
Students, professors and state workers walked off the job at the urging of the country's largest union, ignoring a package of measures announced by Pinera aimed at quelling the violence.
Videos circulating on social media have shone a light on brutal acts by security forces in the neighbouring country.
“We see images of the Army and armed guards patrolling the streets, reprimanding indiscriminately and detaining individuals without any motive, and it reminds us of the time of Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship,” it read.
It says, in no uncertain terms, that the use of these methods could be described as “war,” according to the stipulations laid out by the the well-known ''Doctrina de Seguridad' Nacional.
The groups urged the Piñera government to resolve these conflicts using dialogue and peaceful means before a community rises up in defence of its human rights.
“Our support goes to the Chilean fighters, as we wait for them to soon be heard by the authorities and for the investigation and prosecution of those who took repressive actions that caused deaths and injuries,” the statement said.
The following groups signed the document:
Asociación Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo
Madres de Plaza de Mayo Línea Fundadora
Familiares de Desaparecidos y Detenidos por Razones Políticas
H.I.J.O.S. Capital
Asamblea Permanente por los Derechos Humanos
Asociación Buena Memoria
Comision Memoria, Verdad y Justicia Zona Norte
Familiares y Compañeros de los 12 de la Santa Cruz
Fundación Memoria Histórica y Social Argentina
Lina Argentina por los Derechos Humanos
Movimiento Ecumenico por los Derechos Humanos
– TIMES
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