Sharjah24 – Reuters: Protesters were marching in provincial capitals around Colombia on Wednesday to demand government concessions on economic support for the poor and other issues, following almost a month of widespread protests.
Demonstrations, which began in late April, have pressured the government and lawmakers into shelving tax and health reforms and prompted the exit of the former finance minister.
Protester demands have expanded to include a basic income, opportunities for young people and an end to police violence, including calls to scrap the riot police squad ESMAD.
The national strike committee - made up of unions, student groups and others - is demanding advances on what it refers to as emergency petitions.
The wide-ranging petitions include strengthening women's rights, a moratorium on mortgage and utilities payments for four months and repealing emergency measures protest leaders say have worsened working conditions during the pandemic.
Violence has marked demonstrations over the last four weeks. The government says 17 civilian deaths are directly connected with marches, while human rights groups claim dozens more. Two police officers have also died.
The attorney general's office says it is seeking 129 people reported missing, while 290 have been found. Rights groups say the number of missing is much higher.
More than a week of talks between the government and protest leaders resulted in pre-agreements late on Monday, which are now under review by the strike committee's assembly and government representatives.
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