Peru: Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report

Peru: Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report -- an essential step
towards truth, justice and reconciliation


Today, on the day that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will present
its final report to President Alejandro Toledo, members of Parliament and
the judiciary, Amnesty International reiterated its support for the work
the Commission has carried out in the last two years.

"The report is an important step towards truth and justice in Peru,
after two decades of internal armed conflict in which grave human rights
violations and abuses were committed by the state and by the armed
opposition," Amnesty International said today.

The latest figures from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission state
that over 40,000 people were killed and over 6,000 "disappeared" between
1980 and 2000, the two decades the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was
mandated to investigate.

"The Peruvian authorities must ensure that the Commission´s report
and recommendations are acted upon and that the necessary steps are taken
to ensure that the truth of what happened during the 80´s and 90´s is
widely known. Those responsible for these grave human rights violations
must be brought to justice and adequate reparation made to the victims and
their families."

Amnesty International understands that the Commission has already
handed to judicial authorities information on a number of cases the
Commission has investigated. The organisation urges that these cases be
thoroughly and impartially investigated.

Amnesty International also stated that "it is paramount that the
authorities establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the
recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are
implemented".

A large number of victims of the internal conflict were people from
ethnic groups and social sectors historically marginalised and
discriminated against.

"In order to avoid history repeating itself, the Peruvian authorities
should protect and promote economic, social and cultural rights as well as
civil and political rights in the future", concluded Amnesty International.




Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web:
http://www.amnesty.org

AI Index: AMR 46/017/2003 (Public)
News Service No: 198
28 August 2003