Argentina: Labour union demonstrations held in Salta in March and May 2001; government and police response to these demonstrations
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 6 March 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ARG38452.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Argentina: Labour union demonstrations held in Salta in March and May 2001; government and police response to these demonstrations, 6 March 2002, ARG38452.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be0e0.html [accessed 25 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Telam news agency reported on a general strike organized by factions of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) and the Argentine Workers' Congress (CTA) on 21 March 2001 (21 Mar. 2001). The strike "was widely observed" in Argentina, including "tobacco growers from Salta and Jujuy [who] blocked Highways 9 and 34 near General Gomes" (ibid.). An article in The Militant, which refers to a 21 March article from the Buenos Aires Herald, mentions a roadblock by tobacco growers and workers in Salta (2 Apr. 2001).
No other reports of incidents in Salta in March 2001 could be found among sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
In late May and early June 2001, unemployed workers staged protests on a highway in Salta (Deutsche Presse-Agentur 20 June 2001; EFE 21 June 2001; Inter Press Service 22 June 2001). The protests lasted for more than three weeks and led to two deaths, dozens of injuries and several arrests (Deutsche Presse-Agentur 20 June 2001). Five hundred police officers reportedly used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds (Agence France Presse 17 June 2001). Twenty-four police officers were reportedly wounded by sharpshooters (ibid.). Police responded by pursuing the sharpshooters in the mountains and erecting their own roadblock on the highway to prevent further protests (ibid.). As of 21 June 2001, "hundreds of officers remain[ed] on special duty in the region" (EFE 21 June 2001). No further information on conditions in Salta following the protests could be found among sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 17 June 2001. "Two Killed, Dozens Wounded as Argentine Police Break Up 15-Day Protest." (NEXIS)
Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 20 June 2001. "Police Remove Protesters Blocking Highway in Argentina." (NEXIS)
EFE. 21 June 2001. "Argentina - Bomb Explodes in Front of Argentine National Police Facility." (Financial Times Information 21 June 2001/NEXIS)
Inter Press Service. 22 June 2001. Marcela Valente. "Economy - Argentina: Protests Intensify with Deepening Crisis." (NEXIS)
The Militant. 2 April 2001. Brian Williams. Vol. 65, No. 13. "Workers, Students Protest Austerity Plan in Argentina."
Telam News Agency [Buenos Aires in Spanish]. 22 March 2001. "Argentina: General Strike Quite Widely Observed Throughout the Country." (BBC Worldwide Monitoring 22 Mar. 2001/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
LEXIS/NEXIS
World News Connection (WNC)
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International
Athens Commons
BBC News
Buenos Aires Herald
CNN.com
E-Turbo News
Miami Herald
U.S. Department of State
World Socialist Web Site
