Hunger Strike in Peru's Prisons

HUNGER STRIKE IN PERU’S PRISONS

At least 750 inmates in various jails across Peru are now participating in a hunger strike which begun one week ago. The inmates on hunger strike are indicted or sentenced on terrorism charges, as Peruvian authorities call guerrillas anti-government activists. Many of the prisoners were tried in civilian and military anti-terrorism tribunals that have been criticized by human rights groups as draconian. Abimael Guzman, founder and leader of the Shining Path, and Victor Polay, head of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, began the hunger strike last Monday. Today Lori Berenson and other political prisoners at Huacariz Prison in Cajamarca joined in the hunger strike.

The prisoners issued seven demands summarized as: (1) end impunity for those responsible for crimes against humanity carried out as a state policy; (2) end the prison policy of oppression and revenge and end the arbitrary

and violent transfer of prisoners; (3) close down the three worst prisons in Peru (in Callao, Challapalca, and Yanamayo) which have been condemned internationally; (4) abolish the unconstitutional anti-terrorism legislation

and pass new laws that provide new trials for political prisoners and sentences that allow for parole; (5) move prisoners to jails closer to their families; (6) Make the Truth Commission more "inclusive" to search for and publicize historical truth about the root causes of problems in Peru; and (7) initiate policies that will satisfy the civil, economic, and social needs of the Peruvian people.

Sources: Las Vegas Sun, Committee to Free Lori Berenson, Xinhua

BREAKING NEWS… A five-judge panel of the Peruvian Supreme Court today upheld the sentence last year of Lori Berenson who was found guilty on "terrorism collaboration charges." Lori was found guilty of collaborating with leftist Peruvian rebels in a foiled 1995 attempt to attack the Peruvian congress. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Her father said he was not surprised. "I'm optimistic we'll get her home eventually, hopefully sooner rather than later. I'll be fighting like hell for it." Her lawyer has said Berenson, who denies all the charges against her, saying she is no "terrorist," had entertained "zero expectations." The Supreme Court ruling exhausts all avenues of appeal "Lori is innocent of what she was charged with. I say that with 100 percent confidence," voiced her father.

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