translated from Spanish: Bolivia elections: Bachelet says that “it is essential that all parties avoid more acts of violence”

Ahead of this Sunday’s elections in Bolivia, UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet said today that she is concerned about the incendiary language being used in the campaign, the threats some politicians have faced, and the increase in physical attacks.
“It is essential that all parties avoid more acts of violence that could lead to confrontation,” the UN’s highest human rights manager invoked.
Bolivia held elections a year ago, but they were overturned by allegations of fraud that allegedly favored then-President Evo Morales, who had been declared the winner and was preparing to start his fourth successive term.
The annulment of these elections led to citizen demonstrations for and against Morales, clashes and repression by law enforcement, in a series of events in which at least 37 people were killed and more than 800 injured.
Bachelet recalled such events and stressed that “no one wants them to be repeated” because the consequence was that “everyone lost” with the explosion of violence that was recorded.
The high commissioner commended “the determination of the Bolivian people to participate in these elections”, which were postponed twice this year due to the health risks caused by the pandemic.
In his view, these elections represent a real opportunity for Bolivia to move forward in its economic recovery and social cohesion, as well as to reduce the polarization that took over national politics.
Faced with the serious human rights violations that occurred after the annulment of the 2019 elections, Bachelet’s office sent a special mission to Bolivia, which since last November monitors developments and reports whether it detects alarming events.
Mission members are also tracking the pre-election period.
Bachelet expressed hope that the two-day elections would take place in a peaceful atmosphere and that both the government, politicians and other personalities would refrain from any action that could lead to violence.

Original source in Spanish