Women march carrying photos of rapists, ‘corrupt’ prosecutors in Bolivia
La Paz, Mar 7 (EFE).- Hundreds of women marched Monday in Bolivia carrying photographs of rape suspects and convicts as well as judges and prosecutors, who have released those involved in cases of gender violence and femicide, to demand justice and denounce a delay in the resolution of legal processes.
The march, called by the “Mujeres Creando” feminist collective, began at the Murillo Lighthouse in the city of El Alto.
The women walked till the Departmental Court of Justice of La Paz demanding justice for all victims of gender violence and no impunity for those responsible.
The march took place a day before the International Women’s Day, on which other women’s marches are already planned.
Bolivian President Luis Arce has also been called to join the marches organized by the government.
On Monday, dozens of women, including family members of victims of femicide, carried hundreds of posters showing the faces and names of the perpetrators, the “corrupt” judges and prosecutors who released those sentenced or investigated for femicide.
They also carried photographs of their daughters who had died due to gender violence and in whose cases a verdict has yet to be reached.
“We are tired of the impunity of this patriarchal, sexist justice system that does not take into account the lives of women and it has to stop now,” Cecilia, one of the activists who participated in the march, told EFE.
“On the way home, I want to be free, not brave,” read one of the posters carried by the women, who chanted, “here they are, these are the ones who defend the rapist.”
Carla Zeballos, another woman who took part in the march, said that women in the country live in a state of “corruption,” of “impunity,” where not only is justice delayed but evidence is also lost.
Another protester, Katy, told EFE that men who have money feel they are above the law when they rape or kill a woman because they bribe judges and prosecutors to be released.
“We ask for justice for the women who are no longer here, due to rape, due to everyone who thinks they have the right to kill, to rape women and to buy judges and prosecutors just because they have money,” Katy said.
During a visit to the country a few days ago, Special Rapporteur for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers of the United Nations, Diego Garcia-Sayan, voiced his concern about the serious gap in women’s access to the legal system in Bolivia and impunity in cases of femicide.
In 2021, 108 femicides were registered in Bolivia, which has among the highest rates of femicide in the world.
One of the constant complaints from groups and relatives of the victims is a delay in the application of justice to the perpetrators and corruption in the judicial system. EFE
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