PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 46/14/99

UA 130/99 Fear for safety 4 June 1999

PERU Pablo Rojas - head of COMISEDH, human rights organization

All other COMISEDH staff

A box containing what appeared to be a bomb was left in the garden of the premises of the Comisión de Derechos Humanos(COMISEDH), Human Rights Commission, in the capital, Lima, on the morning of 3 June 1999.

COMISEDH members called the police bomb disposal unit, who discovered the bomb was a fake, made of two batteries connected to electric wires and a telephone. However, the bomb disposal unit apparently said they believed that although the bomb was not real, it was definitely built and left on COMISEDH’s premises to intimidate the organisation and its staff.

Amnesty International fears that this is yet another threat to human rights defenders in Peru intended to dissuade them from carrying out their work. Among other things, COMISEDH is currently assisting people who have been tortured by members of the security forces in recent months to get redress from the courts, and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice. In a 4 June press release, the organization said they believed the imitation bomb was related to their current human rights defence work.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Human rights activists in Peru have frequently been threatened with death in recent years. Amnesty International has repeatedly asked the Peruvian authorities to investigate these death threats impartially and independently and to ensure that all human rights defenders can do their work without intimidation. However, the authorities do not appear to have taken effective steps to achieve this.

In December 1998 the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, of which Article 5 states that everyone has the right "To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups". Amnesty International urges the Peruvian authorities to ensure that this Declaration is fully implemented so that promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected in Peru.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in Spanish or your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of Pablo Rojas and all members of COMISEDH;

- requesting that all necessary steps be taken to guarantee their safety;

- requesting a prompt and effective investigation into this act of intimidation against Pablo Rojas and members of COMISEDH, that the findings be published, and that those responsible be brought to justice.

APPEALS TO:

President

Presidente Alberto Fujimori

Presidente de la República del Perú

Palacio de Gobierno

Plaza Mayor

Lima 1, PERU

Telex: 20167 pe palacio

or 20331 pe sec pre

Faxes: +511 426 6770

Telegrams: Presidente de la República, Palacio de Gobierno

Salutation: Dear President/Sr. Presidente

Minister of the Interior

Señor José Villanueva Ruesta

Ministro del Interior

Ministerio del Interior

Plaza 30 de Agosto s/n

Urb. Córpac

San Isidro

Lima 27, PERU

Telegrams: Ministro del Interior, Ministerio del Interior

Salutation: Dear Minister/Sr. Ministro

COPIES TO:

Human Rights organization

Comisión de Derechos Humanos

Av. Horacio Urteaga 704

Jesús María

Lima 11

PERU

and to diplomatic representatives of Peru accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 16 July 1999.