To All Living Things
Last Week's Column

Amnesty Action:
"Death Threats/Fear for Safety in Peru
by Kathy Gay

his week’s action from Amnesty International concerns a death threat made against an attorney who is currently representing an army intelligence agent allegedly tortured by members of the Servicio de Inteligencia (SIE), the Peruvian Army Intelligence Service.

The death threat came as an anonymous telephone call to his home in March. The caller told him, "El No.1 y el No.2 han decidido acabar con tu vida" ("The Number 1 and the Number 2 have decided to kill you."). Two days later he reported the threat to the Ombudsman, Defensor del Pueblo. On 17 April he mentioned on television that he was being denied access to his client by the military justice system. Both he and his wife fear for their safety and that of their 4-year-old son.

During the past few months, Amnesty International has documented a series of events which point to a worsening situation concerning the protection of human rights in Peru. In particular, the organization is very concerned that political opponents and journalists critical of the government are being targeted -- not because they have committed any crimes, but simply because they have expressed opinions against the government. Amnesty is concerned for the safety of this lawyer and his family because he is representing an army intelligence agent who has made accusations of torture against members of SIE.

Background Information

The internal armed conflict that has afflicted Peru since 1980 has produced thousands of human rights violations, including death threats. They have been committed by all parties engaged in the conflict -- those who oppose the government and wish to overthrow it, as well as members of government security forces.

The perpetrators of the vast majority of these abuses have not been brought to justice. In fact, impunity is not only institutionalized in Peru -- it is legal. In June 1995 an Amnesty Law that closed all investigations into human rights violations committed by members of the security forces between 1980 and 1995 came into force. Under such circumstances, it should come as no surprise that human rights violations are still being committed. Impunity is a denial of truth and justice and contributes to further human rights violations.

How you can help

Please send a letter to the Attorney General of Peru as soon as possible, but no later than June 4, 1997. You may use the sample letter linked below or use it as a model to write your own letter. If you choose to use the sample letter, please cut off or delete all website information at the very top of the letter. If you choose to write your own letter, make sure that it is politely worded and non-partisan (i.e., not used as a vehicle for political expression). Care must be taken to ensure that nothing is written that will cause harm to this man or his family. Be sure to include both your name and address, as well as the date, on the letter.

U.S. airmail postage to Peru is 60 cents.

Questions?

If you have any questions, just post a message to me (Kathy Gay) at the Pub, and I will respond as soon as I can. I greatly appreciate your interest and support.

To see the sample letter for this action, click here.

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Kathy Gay is a vegan, and has been a member of Amnesty International for nearly 10 years, where she has worked on numerous campaigns. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a business analyst for a leading California bank.

Kathy's column, To All Living Things, is a regular feature of VegSource On-Line Magazine.