CIVICUS global civil society alliance calls on the Argentine government to end violence and harassment of activists and journalists and guarantee citizen’s right to speak, assemble, and protest. Further, it must retract and repeal recently introduced bills that restrict and criminalize citizen’s fundamental rights.
Amidst the prevailing economic and social tensions, the country’s civic space has alarmingly deteriorated, with authorities increasingly restricting civic spaces. Protests have been violently repressed, and journalists and social activists are facing increasing harassment and criminalisation.
Following his inauguration in December 2023, President Javier Milei announced a decree repealing or modifying over 70 laws. The measures introduced regressive changes regarding freedom of expression and assembly as well as education, gender rights, healthcare and housing. The National Ministry of Security issued a resolution allowing for the criminalisation and violent dispersal of protests.
The abusive use of force by security forces against protests has become commonplace. On June 12th, police used disproportionate force against people participating in a protest organised by labor unions, universities and human rights organisations against the Omnibus Bill proposed by president Milei. The Argentine Executive has claimed from the congress the ability to use extraordinary legislative powers at will and has reframed social protest as a crime against public order.
Journalists and at least 33 demonstrators were attacked and arbitrarily detained for alleged crimes against public and constitutional order, acts of public intimidation, and inciting collective violence against institutions, and other charges.
The global civil society alliance and the signing organisations call on the Government of Argentina to:
1. Respect people’s freedoms to express and fully participate in protests without fear.
2. Drop all restrictive bills that aim to attack, control, prosecute or censor civil society organisations and activists working to protect the rights of all people in Argentina.
3. Repeal the new security protocol and other repressive measures that criminalize protest and restrain civic space.
Signatories:
Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)
CIVICUS, Global Civil Society Alliance
Fundación Comunidad
Fundación Otras Voces
FUNDAMET
Jóvenes Solidarios
Red Encuentro
TALENTO FUTBOL CLUB
Civic space in Argentina is rated 'narrowed' by the CIVICUS Monitor.
