On Wednesday, June 12, the Senate convened to discuss the Bases Bill promoted by the Milei government. Outside, in the streets, thousands protested against this initiative, which represents significant setbacks in terms of rights.
The government cracked down on the protest and arrested around 35 demonstrators. On the president’s office X/Twitter account, the demonstration was labeled an attempted coup and those detained were branded as terrorists. Federal prosecutor Carlos Stornelli, following government allegations, charged them with serious offenses against public security and public order, assault on authority, injuries, arson, havoc, incitement, organizing groups to impose their ideas or combat opposing ideas through force or fear, and disrupting legislative proceedings.
Federal security forces and the city police deployed a massive operation and employed the anti-protest protocol to prevent the demonstration. They used tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades, and water cannons. There were images of Naval Prefecture members carrying firearms. At least two people collapsed from gas effects, and a group of opposition deputies were hospitalized. Additionally, press workers were among the injured.
The government cited incidents that occurred during the protest to justify the arbitrary detentions and the use of the label of ‘terrorism.’ Among those detained were street vendors or individuals walking near Congress. Federal prosecutor Carlos Stornelli’s accusations did not link them or anyone else to specific acts. Some were transferred to federal prisons in Marcos Paz and Ezeiza.
Stornelli’s charges align with statements from Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who called for an investigation into the detained individuals for terrorist acts and a “new form of coup d’état.” She also vaguely held accountable the organizations involved in the protest for the economic costs of the security operation, the health impacts on security personnel, and property damage.
Late Friday, Federal Judge María Servini released 17 people but left the remaining 16 in federal prisons without providing specific reasons why they might flee or obstruct the investigation. She merely echoed the prosecutor’s grave and unfounded accusations, which in turn mirror the government’s position. Instead of exercising judicial oversight over the case, she validated its arbitrariness.
The government’s political objective is to instill fear in anyone mobilizing to protest. In this context of severe restrictions on the right to protest, personal freedom, and judicial guarantees, we have submitted presentations to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and to the UN Special Rapporteurs on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, on freedom of opinion and expression, and on the situation of human rights defenders. We ask that they urge national authorities to take necessary measures to ensure the freedom of the detained individuals. Likewise, we request Judge Servini to monitor the detentions and grant freedom to the incarcerated individuals.
Photo: Susi Maresca