AMERICA/BOLIVIA - "Political differences should never be resolved with violence", 6 deaths in the municipality of El Alto

Thursday, 18 February 2016 violence   bishops   politics  

El Alto (Agenzia Fides) - The Defensoria del Popolo (Office for Human Rights) and the Catholic Church have called for a transparent investigation with regards to the serious incident that occurred yesterday, February 17, in the City of El Alto. At the end of a demonstration organized by parents who demanded greater attention for the schools in El Alto, which was also attended by political activists, protesters stormed into the town hall and then set it on fire, causing the death of six employees who were inside and were unable to save themselves.
The Defensoria del Popolo in a statement expressed "its condemnation and outrage at the criminal acts" that occurred and called for an "urgent, transparent and complete investigation". It also expressed its solidarity to the victims' families and claimed that those responsible must be punished.
The Bishop of El Alto, His Exc. Mgr. Eugenio Scarpellini, sent his condolences to the victims' families and said: "Today is a day of mourning for democracy in the Country". "Political differences, ideological differences can never be resolved by violence. The path of dialogue, of good coexistence, respect for human life are fundamental" said Mgr. Scarpellini in a statement read to the media together with the mayor of El Alto, the opposition representative, Soledad Chapeton. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 18/02/2016)


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