Bolivia: report on the electoral integrity analysis

Good afternoon and thank you very much, Madam Chair.

First, our delegation would like to express its support for the declaration of the distinguished delegation of Brazil and of the other delegations that have cosponsored it; we will then set out our position as a country on the situation that brings us together, the situation in Bolivia.

The delegation of the Dominican Republic wishes to express its deepest concern at the situation in the Plurinational State of Bolivia. For us, the destabilization of democracy and the episodes of violence of recent days are disheartening. Our country rejects de facto measures in all their forms and manifestations. We also reject any attempt to alter or undermine the constitutional order.

We believe that violence only breeds division, sows hatred within communities, undoes social cohesion in the present and erodes trust in the future. The violence must stop.

We call on the actors of Bolivian society, and on any external actor, to redirect their efforts toward a political dialogue among Bolivians and for Bolivians that brings calm to the whole people. We join the request of part of the international community to the Bolivian actors to desist from the strident rhetoric that incites aggression, division and the breach of the peace.

Ladies and gentlemen, the uncivilized processes unleashed at this juncture will open wounds that we do not know how long will take to heal. Our Bolivian brothers and sisters do not deserve this. The Dominican Republic believes that the solution to the present crisis lies in dialogue and in the holding of free and transparent elections.

We encourage the international community, and this Organization of American States in particular, to accompany the Plurinational State of Bolivia for as long as it requires in order to overcome this dark moment. As always, it is our country’s disposition to cooperate with any initiative that allows differences to be overcome through inclusive dialogue. We hope that the authorities responsible for public order will safeguard the human rights of all persons, respecting their integrity and exercising restraint in the use of force.

Finally, the Dominican Republic calls on the political actors and national institutions to work on an electoral calendar that is realistic, viable and achievable. Our country also hopes that Bolivia can achieve a transition that guarantees a climate of peace and respect for the democratic order until free and transparent elections are held, giving way to a new constitutional mandate vested with legitimacy.

Thank you very much.