MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UN calls for peaceful recall referendum in Bolivia next Sunday

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Friday on all sides in Bolivia to ensure that Sunday's recall referendum on the President, Vice-President and regional governors is conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said he was closely following the political developments in the Andean country, where the referendum concerns the mandates of President Evo Morales, Vice-President Álvaro García and eight regional authorities, or prefectos. Media reports say two people were killed and several more were injured during demonstrations this week related to the referendum. "In the interest of strengthening democracy and human rights in Bolivia, the Secretary-General calls on all political and social actors to ensure a peaceful climate throughout the electoral process and its aftermath" said the statement. "The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations system to work with the Government and society as a whole towards generating an environment of tolerance, respect and dialogue in Bolivia". Earlier this week the head of the Organization of American States said he was "deeply concerned" about political violence in Bolivia ahead of the recall vote. OAS Secretary-general Jose Miguel Insulza warned in a statement that "violence, confrontations and grave disagreements" could keep Bolivia from reaching a peaceful solution to its political crisis. Insulza urged all sides to allow a peaceful vote on Sunday, when Bolivians will decide the fate of President Morales, the vice president and regional governors.