Journalist fears continual threats in Ica; journalists assaulted during clash at Ica National University, police official takes journalist’s camera and orders film exposed

(IPYS/IFEX) – Humberto Fajardo Osco, a journalist with the daily “La Opinion” and Ica’s Radio Constelacion, and correspondent of the Lima-based daily “La República”, has been receiving constant threats from individuals thought to be linked to the dean of the National University of Ica (UNICA). Over the past few months, Alejandro Encinas Fernández’s work as […]

(IPYS/IFEX) – Humberto Fajardo Osco, a journalist with the daily “La
Opinion” and Ica’s Radio Constelacion, and correspondent of the Lima-based
daily “La República”, has been receiving constant threats from individuals
thought to be linked to the dean of the National University of Ica (UNICA).
Over the past few months, Alejandro Encinas Fernández’s work as dean of
UNICA has been the subject of strong criticism in the Ica and Lima press —
particularly from Fajardo, who is also a professor in UNICA’s
Communications Department.

Fajardo told IPYS that he has been intimidated in various ways — from
phone calls to his home and office, to harassment, unknown individuals
asking for him in the university hallways, and calls for strange business
appointments (none of which Fajardo has attended). The journalist told IPYS
that on 10 November 1998, while he was given a class, three individuals
came to the door of the classroom and asked for “Professor Fajardo.” The
students asked them what they wanted with him; the three did not answer and
left. A week later, on 17 November, after making a strong radio commentary
on the fight against corruption (a regular spot which he records over the
phone and not live at the station), a call came into the station asking who
the author of the commentary was and warning for him to “watch himself.”

Fajardo fears he or his family could be the victim of an attack,
particularly because of past events centering around UNICA’s problems and
its controversial dean. A few years ago, a professor who was opposed to the
university’s current administration was killed. Later, a student who was
also in disagreement with the views of UNICA’s administrators was killed.

IPYS has collected information from various institutions and media outlets
who confirm that journalists in Ica are going through a difficult time in
terms of safety concerns and the lack of safeguards for the free exercise
of their profession.

On 3 December, several journalists were assaulted during clashes between a
group of students who took over the main room of the National University of
Ica and another group trying to get them out. The first group was
protesting the questionable acts of some of the university’s
administrators, under the leadership of Encinas Fernández; the other group
is made up of an associate dean, and some university administrators,
professors and students loyal to the dean. Members of this second group
hassled América Television cameraman Juan Velásquez Valencia as he filmed
the beating of a student from the group staging the protest. Then, they hit
journalists Rosario Huayanca and Juan Carlos Quispe, from the press service
of the Ica Human Rights Commission, who said some of their equipment was
damaged. Radio Luren reporter Marianela Gamero Melgarejo had her tape
recorder taken from her.

Added to this was the baffling attitude of the regional district police
chief, National Police General Carlos Pella Cruzado. Far from protecting
the journalists, he arbitrarily and roughly took “El Comercio” journalist
Mariano Rosales’ camera. When Rosales complained, Pella Cruzado ordered
another officer to expose the film, which contained photographs of the
harsh beating of a student by Encinas’ followers. Two hours later, police
returned the camera and the exposed roll of film. In a statement to
provincial criminal prosecutor Dr. Juan Véliz Bendrell, General Pella
Cruzado denied taking the camera; he avoided several television interview
requests.

Recommended Action

General Fernando Dianderas Otonne

Director General, National Police of Peru

Lima, Peru

Fax: +511 225 1775  

General Carlos Pella Cruzado

District Police Chief (Ninth District) – Ica

Ica, Ica department, Peru

Fax: +511 34 22 4350
Dr. Jorge Santistevan de Noriega

Ombudsman

Lima, Peru

Fax: +511 426 6657