Peru is a country experiencing profound economic and political transition. Of the calamities
that may befall a nation, Peru has suffered a disproportionate share over the past fifteen years, falling
victim to a cycle of political upheaval and economic disruption. More than half of the population
suffers extreme poverty. Fourteen years of political violence have taken over 20,000 lives, caused
billions of dollars in material damage, and displaced more than half a million people. A cholera
epidemic has killed thousands of Peruvians since 1991. Peru has been labeled one of the poorest and
most violent nations in South America.1/
Since 1980, successive Peruvian governments have fought a brutal war against Sendero
Luminoso (Shining Path), a violent, self-proclaimed Marxist movement which seeks to overthrow the
government. In the course of the conflict, both the guerrillas and government security forces have
committed grave violations of human rights. Sendero has employed both targeted and indiscriminate
violence to terrorize the government and the population. Despite the September 1992 capture of
Sendero's leader, Abimael Guzmán, the guerrillas continue to carry out attacks, though at a
significantly reduced level.2/
The Peruvian government's response to the threat posed by Sendero has been similarly brutal.
Disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and torture have proliferated as the government security
forces have used broad powers to combat the insurgent movement. In April 1992, President Alberto
Fujimori suspended the Peruvian Constitution in a "self-coup" (autogolpe) that strengthened the
executive and military at the expense of democratic institutions and human rights. Abuses perpetrated
by the security forces, particularly arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention generally accompanied by
torture or other brutal treatment, have continued since Fujimori's coup.
Author(s): INS RESOURCE INFORMATION CENTER
Series: PROFILE SERIES
Publisher: US Department of Justice (DOJ)
Year: 1995
Language: English
Commentary: decrypted from B78665BCF62EEF27306281BD0533C74C source file
Tags: Peru; Fujimori; Alberto Fujimori
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I. POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND
A. Introduction
B. Recent Political History
1. 1968-1980
2. 1980-1985
3. 1985-1990
4. 1990-Present
C. Economic Conditions
D. The Guerrilla Insurgencies
1. Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path)
2. Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru (MRTA)
II. PERPETRATORS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
A. Peruvian Government and Security Forces
1. Security Forces
2. Death Squads Linked to the Security Forces
3. Civil Defense Patrols ( Rondas Campesinas)
B. Guerrilla Movements
1. Sendero Luminoso
2. MRTA
C. Drug Traffickers
III. LEGAL STRUCTURE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
A. The 1979 Constitution
B. Suspension of Guarantees in the Emergency Zones
C. Effect of the Fujimori Coup on Constitutional Rule in Peru
1. Decree Laws since the Fujimori Self-coup and the Deterioration of Civil Liberties and Freedom
2. Effect of the Decrees on Civil Liberties and Due Process
D. The 1993 Constitution -- Codification of Strong Executive Authority and Weakened Individual Protections against Government Ab
E. De Facto and De Jure Impunity for Human Rights Abuses
1. Military Impunity
2. The Absence of Judicial Protection
IV. HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
A. Abuses Committed by Government Security Forces
1. Forced Disappearances
2. Extrajudicial Executions
3. Arbitrary Arrests and Prolonged Detention
4. Torture
a. Rape as Torture in Peru
b. Prison Conditions
5. Forced Participation in Civil Defense Patrols
B. Abuses Committed by Guerrilla Forces
1. Assassinations
2. Torture
3. Kidnapping
4. Forced Enlistment in Guerrilla Units
V. GROUPS AT RISK 267/
A. Government Officials and Members of Political Parties
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
B. Trade Unionists
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
C. Human Rights Activists and Lawyers
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
D. Witnesses to Human Rights Abuses and Family Members of Victims or Targets
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
E. Community Leaders and Active Members of Non-Governmental Organizations
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
F. Civil Defense Patrols ( Rondas Campesinas)
G. Academics and Students
H. Journalists
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
I. Judges, Prosecutors, and Court Officials
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
J. Members of the Security Forces Who Criticize Military Impunity and Their Families
K. Displaced People and Forced Migrants
L. Members of Religious Groups
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
M. Health Professionals
N. Women
1. Targeting by Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting by Peruvian Security Forces
O. Residents of the Emergency Zones
1. Targeting By Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting By Peruvian Security Forces
P. Homosexuals
1. Targeting by Guerrilla Forces
2. Targeting by Peruvian Security Forces
VI. INDEX
