Statement of the Network in Defense of Humanity

The Executive Secretariat of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists, and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity (REDH), denounces and condemns the harassment and stalking being suffered by four Spanish representatives who, within the framework of the presidential elections, visited Bolivia as international observers invited by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of that country, to safeguard the transparency of the electoral process.

These are the representatives of the Party of the European Left, Maite Mola, Vice President of the organization and leader of United Left, Francisco Perez, head of International Policy and the parliamentarians of United We Can, Lucia Muñoz and Gerardo Pisarello.

The gravity of this situation is clear because the Minister of the Interior of the de facto government, Arturo Murillo, himself made threatening statements and published the photos of the four Spanish representatives on his twitter, stating that “we warn agitators and people who seek to generate violence, that they are not welcome. We will put them behind bars or on a plane. Behave yourselves; we know who you are and where you are”.

The people of Bolivia have the right to exercise the right of self-determination through transparent elections that guarantee the genuine will of the people. Threats and intimidation of those who seek only to contribute to this noble goal deserve the condemnation of the entire international community. 

Executive Secretariat of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity

October 18, 2020