PUBLICAI Index: AMR 46/16/99

UA 136/99Fear for safety / Death threats11 June 1999

PERUGustavo Mohme Llona, editor of La República and Congressman

Edmundo Cruz, journalist for La República

And other journalists working for La República

Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Gustavo Mohme Llona, the editor of opposition newspaper La República, Edmundo Cruz, a journalist on the paper and other journalists working for the paper after reports that staff have been intimidated and threatened.

According to reports, on 31 May 1999, an issue of a recently launched satirical version of La República , called "Repúdica", accused Gustavo Mohme and other journalists of La República of being sympathisers of armed opposition groups. It also contained the following death threat to Edmundo Cruz: "Ahora, la nueva modalidad de investigación que hace Edmundito Cruz es perseguir camionetas Cherokee con lunas oscuras para ver si encuentra a algún sospechoso vestido de militar ... anda no más Edmundo, que un día va salir de esas camionetas una de estas gringas achoradas y de un par de plomazos se te va a mandar a la República". (.."now Edmundito Cruz’s new investigative style is to tail Cherokee vans with tinted windows [a type of vehicle used by the Peruvian intelligence agencies] to see if he can find someone looking suspicious dressed up in military gear... keep on doing this Edmundito. One day a tough guy is going to get out of one of those vans and give you a couple of bullets that will send you to La Republica").

The recent threats and intimidation directed at La República journalists appear to be linked to recent articles the paper has published about corruption in Peru and to Gustavo Mohme’s efforts to unite the opposition for the forthcoming presidential campaign in 2000. In addition, Edmundo Cruz has been investigating links between a recent campaign by tabloid newspapers against La República and the Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional,(SIN), National Intelligence Service. As part of his investigation he recently took a photograph of a Cherokee van outside the offices of one of these tabloid newspapers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Although President Fujimori has apparently condemned the threats and intimidation against La República, Amnesty International does not believe this is enough. Threats against journalists, opposition leaders and human rights defenders have been of concern to Amnesty International ever since October 1996 when an increasing pattern of intimidation emerged. A web site, apparently with links to high ranking officials of the SIN, is now also reported to be issuing threats to the same groups of people.

If President Fujimori is serious about his condemnation of this intimidation, the safety of the journalists has to be guaranteed. A prompt and effective investigation must be initiated, the findings published, and those responsible brought to justice.

For further information on acts of intimidation against journalists, opposition leaders and human rights defenders in Peru since 1996, please see: UA 79/97, AMR 46/05/97, 20 March 1997; UA 83/97, AMR 46/06/97, 25 March 1997; UA 107/97, AMR 46/16/97, 18 April 1997; UA 201/97, AMR 46/27/97, 8 July 1997; UA 279/97, AMR 46/34/97, 20 August 1997;UA 21/98, AMR 46/01/98, 22 January 1998; UA 188/98, AMR 46/11/98, 3 July 1998; UA 239/98, AMR 46/15/98, 10 September 1998;UA 278/98, AMR 46/17/98, 29 October 1998; UA 290/98, AMR 46/18/98, 9 November 1998; UA 76/99, AMR 46/09/99, 14 April 1999; UA 230/99, AMR 46/14/99, 4 June 1999.

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

- expressing concern for the safety of Gustavo Mohme Llona, Edmundo Cruz and other journalists working for La República newspaper who have been intimidated in recent weeks;

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

- calling for a prompt and effective investigation into these incidents, 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

Telegrams:President Fujimori, Lima, Peru

Faxes:+ 511 426 6770 (if voice answers, ask: “por favor, me puede dar tono de fax”)

Salutation:Sr. Presidente / Dear President

Attorney General

Dr. Miguel Aljovín Swayne

Fiscal de la Nación

Fiscalía de la Nación

Av. Abancay, cuadra 5 s/n

Lima 1

PERU

Telegrams:Attorney General, Lima, Peru

Faxes:+ 511 426 2474

Salutation: Sr. Fiscal de la Nación / Dear Attorney General

Minister of the Interior

General (EP) José Villanueva Ruesta

Ministro del Interior

Ministerio del Interior

Plaza 30 de Agosto s/n

Lima 27

Peru

Telegrams: Ministro del Interior, Lima, Peru

Faxes:+ 511 224 2407

Salutation: Dear Minister/ Estimado Ministro

COPIES TO:

Newspaper

La República

Jr. Camaná 320

Lima 1

PERU

Human Rights Organisation

Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos

CNDDHH

Jr. Túpac Amaru 2467

Lince

Lima 14

Perú

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 23 July 1999.