Jujuy Protests: Amnesty Report‌ Exposes​ Repression‍ and Impunity

‍ Updated June 01, 2025
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Two ​years after widespread⁣ social unrest and⁣ debate over constitutional⁤ reform in Jujuy, Argentina, Amnesty International reports ⁢that impunity persists regarding the state’s response to 2023 protests. The report, “Silence is not an option: repression and impunity in Jujuy,” details the lack of accountability for human rights violations during the mobilizations.

ana Piquer, Americas‌ Director at Amnesty International, stated that the anniversary of the constitutional reform process is marked by impunity, reflecting a strategy to silence those standing up for their rights. She added that ‍the​ province has not ‍provided answers ‍regarding tactics used to violate the right to peaceful assembly, including excessive force and arbitrary detentions aimed at criminalizing protesters.

The constitutional ⁢reform, debated and ‍approved in May​ and June 2023, ‍curtailed human rights, ⁤particularly for Indigenous ‌peoples. The process occurred⁢ rapidly and without proper consultation, prompting widespread ‌protests against‍ the⁣ proposed changes. Amnesty International’s⁤ report reveals that the ⁤State of ‌Jujuy ignored demands for participation and used violence and intimidation against those who spoke out, further marginalizing Indigenous communities.

Mariela Belski, executive‌ director of Amnesty International Argentina, noted the⁢ exclusion of ‍Indigenous peoples from the⁣ reform debate, set against⁤ a backdrop⁣ of land dispossessions and ​structural discrimination.‍ She said they were⁢ marginalized through ⁣the approval of the new constitution without their consent and the violent ⁢dispersal of road blockades, restricting their right to protest.

The⁤ organization’s research involved interviews with 111 people,90% of whom are‌ Indigenous,and​ analysis‍ of over 50 video and ⁢photographic records documenting ⁤the events and police use of force. the delegation also‌ met with authorities and ⁣requested ⁤access‌ to public information.

The report found‍ that police⁣ used illegitimate, arbitrary, and excessive force to disperse protests, including​ tear gas, rubber bullets, and unregulated weapons. ​at ⁤least 170 people⁣ were injured, with⁣ ten hit in the face, and three losing ⁤vision in one ⁣eye.

Amnesty International’s report reveals at least 99 arrests during demonstrations, including arbitrary arrests, particularly during protests on ⁤June 17 and 20. ‍Police used unlawful force, including against children and⁢ adolescents, and subjected protesters to cruel treatment.

At least 86 people face charges for ambiguous​ offenses often used to criminalize protest, such ​as “resisting law enforcement” and “sedition.” The Provincial Misdemeanour Code was ⁢also widely used‌ to intimidate and punish protesters, with‌ at least 82 proceedings documented.

Joel Paredes, ⁢a 29-year-old ceramicist, lost sight in one eye‍ after being hit ‌by a rubber bullet during a protest⁣ on June 30, 2023. He was among peaceful ‌demonstrators when police fired indiscriminately into the crowd. Despite surgery,his eyesight could ‌not ⁣be saved,and he now suffers⁣ from ‌permanent⁣ blindness and nerve pain. ⁣No one has ​been held accountable for his⁤ injury.

In 2024, Paredes’ case was highlighted in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign, supporting individuals unfairly harassed or imprisoned.

Amnesty International shared its findings with Jujuy authorities but received ⁤no ⁢response. ⁤A delegation⁣ visited ⁤Jujuy to present the report, demand justice for victims, ⁤and deliver letters​ of solidarity⁤ to Joel Paredes.

Sadly, the ⁤two-year anniversary of the constitutional⁢ reform process has been marked ⁣by impunity, reflecting the⁣ state’s strategy of silencing those who dare to stand up for their rights. In⁤ all these months, the Province of⁣ Jujuy has given ⁤no answers about the⁢ tactics it used with the clear ⁤aim of violating the right to ⁣freedom of peaceful assembly in‌ the province. These ​methods‌ included excessive use of force, arbitrary ⁢detentions, or investigations to criminalize protesters ‌

Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty ⁢International

The Amnesty International report also reveals how Indigenous peoples were wholly excluded from the reform debate, against a backdrop of land dispossessions ‍and⁣ structural discrimination in⁣ the province with the highest proportion of Indigenous ‍people ‍in the country.⁣ They were ‌marginalized first through the approval‌ of the new constitution without their⁤ free, prior and ‍informed consent – a requirement under international ⁣human‌ rights‍ law – and then through the banning and violent dispersal of road blockades, which disproportionately restricted their legitimate exercise of the right to protest

Mariela Belski, executive director of Amnesty international ⁢Argentina

No one has been​ punished for the human rights violations committed during the repression, and the victims are​ still awaiting justice. Cases⁤ like Joel’s⁢ should never be forgotten because they remind the authorities of all the answers ‌they still owe to Jujuy society, especially the province’s Indigenous peoples, who‍ continue to ​fight‌ to have their human rights recognized and safeguarded

Ana Piquer,⁢ Americas Director at ⁢Amnesty⁤ International

What’s next

Amnesty International continues to call ‌for justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-repetition for victims of state violence in Jujuy, urging authorities‍ to ⁤address⁤ the human rights violations and ensure accountability.