Peru: Need to respect human rights

Mourning those killed in violent clashes in Peru, June 2009 [REUTERS/Pilar Olivares, courtesy www.alertnet.org]

Respect your people and their human rights, CAFOD tells Peruvian government after indigenous people are killed

We are calling for an end to the violence in Peru after more than 50 people were killed over the weekend when protesters were attacked by government troops.

The protests in Bagua in the Peruvian Amazon were sparked by the country’s signing of free trade agreements with the US and Canada, which could open the country’s Amazon lands to oil, gas and mineral exploitation.

The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency in some Amazon regions, suspending residents’ constitutional rights.

Fear of more violence

Francis McDonagh, CAFOD programme manager for the Andes, says: "The government of Peru needs to respect its people and their human rights. CAFOD deeply regrets the deaths of both indigenous and police in the conflict and we call for an end to this violence."

There is fear that the weekend’s attacks could be followed by more violence this Thursday when a national strike has been organised to take place.

Francis McDonagh added: "There is only place now for dialogue not more death. Whatever the immediate trigger of this weekend’s fighting, much of it was due to the frustration of the indigenous communities at the government’s refusal to consult over legislation denying them the right to consultation over the future of their territories."

We endorse the call of Amazon bishops for the Peruvian government to rescind the laws affecting these territories and to begin genuine dialogue with the local inhabitants.

President of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte and the Peruvian Ombudsman Dr Beatriz Merino Lucero today released a joint statement on the events in Bagua: "We make an urgent appeal for calm and insist that the clashes between fellow citizens should cease.

"It is urgent that all those injured and those in danger should receive assistance, without any discrimination. Immediate steps should be taken to re-establish dialogue, which should never have been broken off, and which should be the only method used to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Conscious of our duty to protect life and people’s fundamental rights, we call on all authorities and leaders to opt for dialogue and peace and we offer our services to the country to do anything we can to restore calm to the affected populations and to Peru as a whole."

Media: For more information and interviews: Pascale Palmer, ppalmer@cafod.org.uk +44 20 7095 5459, +44 7785 950 585

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