Sharjah24 - AFP: The UN rights office condemned Tuesday the "excessive use of force" by security officers in Colombia, after numerous deaths during days of protests against a proposed tax reform.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights voiced "profound shock" at a further incident overnight in the city of Cali, saying police "opened fire" on demonstrators, reportedly killing and injuring a number of people.
The rights office called for calm on all sides ahead of a planned mass protest on Wednesday, and stressed that security forces should only use firearms as a last resort.
Spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told reporters in Geneva that the situation remained volatile.
"What we can say clearly is that we have received reports, and we have witnesses, is (of) excessive use of force by security officers, shooting, live ammunition being used, beatings of demonstrators and as well detentions," she said.
Protesters in Colombia called Monday for a new mass rally after 19 people died and more than 800 were wounded in clashes during five days of demonstrations, according to official figures.
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