Peru President rejects discrimination, calls for fair country; laments George Floyd death

16:25 | Lima, Jun. 4.

The President of the Republic Martin Vizcarra on Thursday rejected all forms of discrimination and called on the population to build a fairer and more equitable Peru.

Within this framework, the Head of State said that the key to reversing the situation is education, not only at schools, but also at homes.

The top official noted that —in the last national census— 50% of the population responded that they had suffered some type of discrimination in the country.

Likewise, the statesman lamented the death of African American citizen George Floyd in the United States —in an incident involving the police— which led to protests in different cities.

"It is a sign of racism and discrimination that we must strongly reject; let's not reject it only there, but also the one we suffer here (in Peru). In the last census, citizens were asked if they had suffered discrimination and 50% said yes," he expressed.

"This is a current issue, and it is not only a remote problem, but also a domestic one," he added.

The Peruvian leader indicated that —in order to reverse this situation— everyone's commitment is needed to show that "we are all the same and that we are all worth the same."

"We must be a more equitable and fair country, that is the effort that we must all make," he emphasized.

Furthermore, the President said that today is the Day of Afro-Peruvian Culture. Thus, he sent a greeting to all Afro-Peruvian citizens who are part of society.

Remarks were made in a televised press conference within the framework of a mandatory social isolation imposed to prevent the COVID-19 from further spreading in the South American country.

Initially set to last from March 16 to 30, the mandatory quarantine was extended until June 30.

On this occasion, the President was joined by members of the Council of Ministers. The event was held at the Government Palace in Lima.

Thursday marks the eighty-first day of mandatory social isolation in Peru.

El presidente @MartinVizcarraC informa sobre la situación del Estado de Emergencia en el #Día81 y las acciones que realiza el Gobierno para contener la propagación del COVID-19. En vivo: https://t.co/SoFr4R0gsc https://t.co/dHT0xY79P2
— Presidencia Perú (@presidenciaperu) June 4, 2020