UN condemns “acts of discrimination and xenophobia” against Venezuelan migrants in northern Chile

The United Nations condemned this Thursday the “acts of discrimination and xenophobia” that occurred days ago against undocumented immigrants in the cities of Iquique and Arica, in the north of chiliduring protests over rising crime that some associate with foreigners.

“We call on national, regional and local authorities to ensure adequate respect for the human rights of all people to live a life free of violence, particularly those communities that host people in human mobility”, they indicated from the office of the UN in chili through a statement.

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“We condemn the attacks on law enforcement officials and the acts of discrimination and xenophobia occurred”they added in relation to a beating of police officers by foreigners and aggressions against street camps of foreigners in a subsequent demonstration of repudiation.

Both situations occurred in the coastal city of Iquique, some 1,750 km to the North of Santiago, and once again highlighted the problems in the area after the massive arrival since the end of 2019 of thousands of irregular immigrants through clandestine steps in the arid Atacama desert through the borders of chili with Peru and, mainly, Bolivia.

Most of the immigrants are Venezuelan citizens in conditions of extreme poverty. Those who cross with more economic and family resources in chili They reach cities in the south or the capital, but the most abandoned set up camps in squares and beaches in this city.

“We call on all people not to use isolated events to promote discrimination and violence against refugees and migrants”, urged the UN.

A man holds a sign that reads in Spanish “Stop making criminals victims,” ​​as locals take part in a march against illegal immigration in Iquique, Chile, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Ignacio Muñoz ) (Ignacio Munoz/)

Last Monday Iquique woke up with a general strike of services and dozens of trucks blocking access to the city and the main streets, while some 4,000 people went out to protest, launching xenophobic cries for considering that the massive presence of undocumented immigrants increased crime and unsafety.

That protest ended with a wounded Venezuelan and a camp of foreigners forcibly evicted, in images that have been repeated since September of last year, when in another demonstration against migration the belongings of Venezuelan families were burned.

“We point out that there are serious situations of vulnerability and lack of attention regarding the most basic humanitarian needs of the population in human mobility”, they warned from the international organization.

The Chilean Foreign Ministry reported this Thursday that they agreed with Bolivia to hold a work table “in the next few hours” to evaluate the situation and find solutions.

A group of people participate in a demonstration in Iquique (Chile). (Photo: EFE/ Adriana Thomasa). (Adriana Thomasa/)

Notable among these initiatives was the spending of 3.5 million dollars allocated by UNHCR (the refugee agency of the UN), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) “for the establishment of transitory residences for migrants”.

At the same time, the interior minister of chiliRodrigo Delgado, remains on an official visit to the area on behalf of the government -President Sebastián Piñera is on vacation- and confirmed an increase in the number of police officers in those cities, which were already reinforced throughout 2021.

The Chilean Police indicated that currently at least 200 undocumented foreigners cross the border between Bolivia and chili by clandestine steps to reach the border town of Colchane, about 237 km from Iquique.

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Source: Elcomercio