The UN fears rising social protests in Latin America due to restrictions and economic problems due to COVID-19, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Andrei Mahechich said at a briefing in Geneva.
“Of course, there is a sense of growing fear, social upheaval, xenophobia, discrimination in Latin America. This is not something unique to Latin America. But we have seen an increase in xenophobia and discrimination”, – he said.
According to him, in the countries of the region, refugees who are already trying to make ends meet become especially vulnerable in the situation with COVID-19. Now they are often unable to comply with quarantine measures and are placed under arrest or harassed.
“So, this bothers us, and we continue to monitor the situation”, – Mahečić added.