(IPYS/IFEX) – On Tuesday 30 March 1999, statements attacking Baruch Ivcher appeared on the Internet site of the organisation Association for the Defense of the Truth (Aprodev, Asociacion Pro Defensa de la Verdad). Previously, defamations against journalists and politicians opposed to the Fujimori regime had appeared on the Internet page. **Updates IFEX alert of 2 […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On Tuesday 30 March 1999, statements attacking Baruch
Ivcher
appeared on the Internet site of the organisation Association for the
Defense of the Truth (Aprodev, Asociacion Pro Defensa de la Verdad).
Previously, defamations against journalists and politicians opposed to
the
Fujimori regime had appeared on the Internet page.
**Updates IFEX alert of 2 December 1998**
On Monday 5 April, the newspaper “Referéndum”, where some of Ivcher’s
former
colleagues are currently working, published a special report
speculating on
the possible links between Aprodev and the National Intelligence
Service
(SIN, Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional). On 6 April, an official
letter
appeared in the “Expreso” newspaper. The letter was addressed to
“Referéndum” manager, Fernando Viaña, and was signed by Aprodev’s
legal
representative, Hector Ricardo Faisal. Faisal rejected the statements
made
by “Referéndum” and called for the newspaper to present concrete proof
supporting its allegation.
In another part of his letter, Faisal states that “this whole matter
is
nothing more than a trap, with the obvious intention of creating a
false
impression that would afterwards be taken advantage of by the
newspaper to
publish a slanderous, defamatory and malicious version.”
IPYS spoke with Iván García, “Referéndum”‘s assistant manager, who
said:
“Faisal is apparently unaware of the Aprodev Internet page contents
focused
on Peru. Whereas there is information available on Argentina, Germany,
Chile, and other countries, he must not have seen the Peruvian
content,
which slandered and insulted Ivcher and others opposed to the current
government.
García asked: “What truth and quality information is Faisal boasting
about,
when everyone has seen the denigrating quality of the information on
the
Aprodev pages? Not only was this said in relation to the Ivcher case,
as
there is a long list of people opposed to the regime. How can Faisal
try to
defend that which is indefensible?” García emphasized: “we can only
suppose
that this gentleman, who is apparently acting as Aprodev’s
spokesperson, has
demonstrated with his conduct that he endorses this negative content.”
If one looks at Aprodev Internet pages referring to other countries,
one
notes that Hitler’s biography is on the Germany site, Pinochet’s
biography
is on the Chile site, and on the Argentinian site, there is
information on
Almirante Macera, who was one of the generals involved in serious
human
rights violations. This suggests Aprodev’s political viewpoint.
García further stated: “Aprodev has revealed its stance against the
truth,
against freedom of the press and expression, and its intolerance for
those
who have a critical opinion of or disagree with the government, and
particularly with SIN’s modus operandi.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
between the
Aprodev Internet site and the SIN
Appeals To
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Lima, Peru
Fax: +51 1 426 6535Miguel Aljovín Swayne
Attorney General
Lima, Peru
Fax: +51 1 426 2474Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Lima, Peru
Fax: +51 1 426 6657
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
