Meaning of curfew (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Curfew:

A partial restriction of the right to free movement by a government is called a curfew. Its application is usually contemplated in the constitutions or laws of each country. It is a consequence of the declaration of a state of alarm or state of exception.

When a curfew is decreed, a circulation schedule and a backup schedule are established. In some cases it may involve the suspension of certain types of activities.

Whoever does not comply with the curfew is considered a threat factor that puts the community at risk and, therefore, is subject to their arrest or the application of force by the security forces.

objective

The curfew has the function of guaranteeing citizen security against various threats, which is why the measure is considered as a means to protect human rights. The purpose of the curfew is to facilitate the work of the authorities during an emergency and to restore social order.

However, in contexts of dictatorial or totalitarian governments, it may happen that the curfew decree aims to radicalize the political control of a nation. This was the case, for example, of the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile between 1973-1987.

Causes

The curfew responds to emergencies that create chaos and put the safety of citizens at risk. Some of the most common causes are:

• popular unrest; military uprisings; war situations; natural disasters; pandemics.

It may interest you:

• Social distancing, pandemic, quarantine.

Examples

Throughout history there have been different cases of curfews. For example, in 2020, different Latin American countries decreed a curfew in the face of the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus) to contain the spread of the pandemic.

Other examples could be:

• Chile, 2019. The Chilean government declared a state of emergency and ordered a curfew to appease the riots that started in Santiago de Chile after the increase in transportation, which spread to other cities in the country. Chile, 2010. The government decrees a 12-hour curfew daily after the wave of looting resulting from the earthquake. Chile, 1973-1987 approx. During the Pinochet dictatorship, the practice of curfew was frequent (although not permanent) and obedient to the dictator's intentions of political control. Colombia, 2019. A curfew was decreed in Cali and Bogotá due to the vandalism and riots that followed the march of the national strike. Colombia, 1970. Demonstrations against the theft of the elections in 1970 generated the declaration of the State of Siege and the imposition of the curfew. Colombia, 1948. After the murder of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, the government tried to appease the revolts by implementing curfews. Honduras, 2017-2018. In the face of post-election protests, the government decreed a curfew for 12 hours for ten days. Puerto Rico, 2017. A wave of looting after the passage of Hurricane Maria motivated the Governor to decree a curfew between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. indefinitely. Venezuela, 1989. After a wave of looting known as “el caracazo”, the Venezuelan government decreed a curfew between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am over several days.