A message from Gisela Ortiz and update on the trial for Fujimori.

On November 12, 2007, DJPC and Amnesty International sponsored a talk by Gisela Ortiz Perea about the incredible struggle to bring justice in Peru for human rights violations committed during the rule of ex-President Alberto Fujimori. Gisela sent this message of hope and thanks on February 9, 2008, two months into the Fujimori trial.

The La Cantuta Case: Advancing toward Justice

The case of La Cantuta is crucial to the prosecution, after a long period of impunity, of human rights violations committed by the La Colina death squad established under the dictatorship of Alberto Fujimori in Peru. The case addresses the kidnapping, disappearance and death of nine students and a professor at the Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle, known as La Cantuta. This event, that implanted such sadness in our families, occurred on July 18, 1992 and, sadly, was not the only case committed by this criminal group made up of agents of the Intelligence Service of the Army and carried out with total impunity.

After more than a 15 year persistent struggle by the families of the victims, we succeeded in cornering the assassins and bringing them to justice. The majority of La Colina members were subjected to judicial processes and, the person most responsible for these crimes, Alberto Fujimori, was extradited by the Chilean judiciary to face charges for his responsibility in these human rights violations.

 Even with this opportunity, we—as family members, as citizens, as people—cannot lose ground. We have to demonstrate to the world that assassins and violators of human rights have fewer places to hide. We have to show, in spite of the time that has elapsed, that justice has to be a right for the victims and a process for healing the open wounds and the sorrow of their families. We will not be able to succeed without your solidarity. We continue to be grateful for your support that will put an end to impunity, so that these stories of grief are never repeated—EVER.

In solidarity,

Gisela Ortiz Perea

(Translated by Harriet Mullaney)

•  For background information, please read Angelia Shugarts' article, “International Justice Takes the Stand in Peru,” in the February 2008 Mustard Seed.

•  DJPC member, Hayden Gore, is currently in Peru to observe the Fujimori trial. You can visit his blog under 'Fujimori Facing Justice' at http://blogs.amnestyusa.org/ and read his analysis and add your own comments. Hayden will present his observations at the March salon on March 28. Look for the announcement of this event!

*******DJPC has focused its salon series on international justice. For more information on International Justice topics click on the following link from Amnesty International:*******

http://www.amnestyusa.org/International_Justice/Other_Resources_on_International_Justice/page.do?id=1031019&n1=3&n2=35