Excessive force used against anti-corruption, opposition party protesters

Expression

At the same protest reported in the section above, a female reporter Marisol Amaya was forcefully removed by police from the protest. The People's United Party condemned the incident, noting that the removal of the reporter from the scene was "unprovoked and unnecessary".

In addition, two indigenous rights groups - Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association - condemned the aggression against Amaya, declaring that:

“It seems that there is a strong pattern by the government’s police forces to single out and target female press personnel and members of civil society advocates. It must be recalled that this is not the first time that Ms. Amaya has been targeted by officers of the government..."

Peaceful Assembly

On 6th September 2017, the People’s United Party organised a protest over the rise of corruption cases in the country. During the protest, demonstrators suddenly decided to block the Tower Hill Bridge and police subsequently dispersed the crowd with tear gas and batons. A police representative assured the public that the use of tear gas against demonstrators will be investigated. No reports of arrests were documented.