(IPYS/IFEX) – On the night of 24 July 2000, the leadership of the Peruvian Air Forces (Fuerza Aérea del Perú, FAP), emitted an order prohibiting all civilian flights flying at an altitude of up to 3,000 metres over Lima. The measure is in effect from 6:00 a.m. on 25 July until 6:00p.m. (local time) on […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On the night of 24 July 2000, the leadership of the Peruvian Air Forces (Fuerza Aérea del Perú, FAP), emitted an order prohibiting all civilian flights flying at an altitude of up to 3,000 metres over Lima. The measure is in effect from 6:00 a.m. on 25 July until 6:00p.m. (local time) on Saturday 29 July.
This period coincides with activities scheduled for the Marcha of the Cuatro Suyos. Beginning on 26 July, thousands of persons representing various grassroots and labour organisations and coming from a number of different regions in Peru, will join the march which will converge in Lima. The demonstration is being held to protest against the governing party and the irregularities that marked the first and second round of national elections, held in April and May, respectively.
The FAP order will prevent Canal N from covering the march from its aerial mobile unit, as it was planning. Canal N’s newly purchased helicopter would have allowed it to provide better and more objective information. In a press conference convoked by Alejandro Toledo, leader of the opposition and promoter of the Marcha of the Cuatro Suyos, Canal N representatives stated that the order would also jeopardise the activities planned for the foreign press and international observers. Two helicopters had been made available for these groups, which have been invited to observe the marches heading towards Lima.
So as not to contravene the FAP order, Canal N was unable to carry out its routine flight over Lima on the morning of 25 July. Furthermore, Canal N reporters and the helicopter’s technician were prevented from even coming near the helicopter by about ten police officers who arrived at Canal N’s aerial unit base of operations at 8:00 a.m. and surrounded the helicopter.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– protesting the FAP order, which interferes with the right to access to information
– asking that the order be immediately rescinded
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Ing. Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Fax: +51 1 427 6722 / 426 6535
Dr. Alberto Bustamante Belaunde
President of the Council of Ministers
Fax: +51 1 447 1628 / 475 0689
General José Villanueva Ruesta
General Commander of the Armed Forces
Fax: +51 1 436 1423 / 435 4623
General Carlos Bergamino Cruz
Minister of Defense
Fax: +51 1 433 6906
Ing. Alberto Pandolfi Arbulú
Minister of Transport and Communications
Fax: +51 1 433 9378
Dr. Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 1 426 6657
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
