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Rights & Democracy congratulates Peru's Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the release of its final report

MONTREAL  -  August 28, 2003 -  Rights & Democracy congratulates Peru's Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the submission of its final report today.

Since June, 2001, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has collected more than 17,000 testimonies, greatly advancing Peruvians' collective understanding of their country's deeply troubling history of political violence. It is estimated that between 1980 and 2000 - the period studied by the Commission - more than 60,000 Peruvians were killed or disappeared and more than 500,000 were internally displaced.

Throughout the war waged between the Shining Path insurgency and the Peruvian government, Peru's rural, indigenous peoples were torn between irreconcilable positions, and targeted by terrorist actions. The fear and suspicion generated by two decades of armed conflict has presented the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with a truly daunting task.

Most recently, on August 1, a spurious legal investigation was launched against the 12 members of the Commission, accusing them of "advocating terrorism." The accusation alleges that the commissioners committed a criminal act when they screened video tape of testimonies in which former guerrillas ask for forgiveness for atrocities committed during the war. "In recent weeks, voices of intolerance have re-emerged in an apparent attempt to politicize the work of the Commission," said Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy. "I believe that The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has dealt impartially and rigorously with all forms and incidents of violence".

Rights & Democracy urges Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo to fulfill his commitment to promote the Commission's findings and recommendations. "It is critical that President Toledo create a mechanism ensuring the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's proposals for reform and reparations," said Jean-Louis Roy. "The work of the Peruvian Commission has set a new standard for post-conflict societies, offering practical solutions as an antidote to silence, pain and bitterness. Its findings must be published in full, and be made widely available throughout Peru, and internationally."

Rights & Democracy joins other international organizations in expressing solidarity with Peru's courageous human rights defenders, who have weathered intimidation, threats, accusations and the deaths of many of their colleagues, friends and family. In recognition of this struggle, Rights & Democracy has named Ang?lica Mendoza de Ascarza of Ayacucho co-recipient of the 2003 John Humphrey Freedom Award. Ms. Mendoza's leadership of the National Association of Families of Detained, Kidnapped and Disappeared Persons of Peru (ANFASEP) has led the way for thousands of victims to denounce violence on all sides of the conflict.

Over the past 12 years, Rights & Democracy has followed events in Peru with great interest, and has supported the work of Peruvian civil society organizations in their efforts to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights. Rights & Democracy is proud to have facilitated witnesses' access to public hearings organized under the auspices of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.