Journalist Carlos Infante Yupanqui, general manager of the Ayacucho weekly “Democracia”, informed IPYS that he has been receiving threats for the past two weeks, ever since a report on irregularities in a number of local institutions and organisations was published in the weekly. Infante Yupanqui has been threatened in person, he has received threatening phone […]
Journalist Carlos Infante Yupanqui, general manager of the Ayacucho weekly “Democracia”, informed IPYS that he has been receiving threats for the past two weeks, ever since a report on irregularities in a number of local institutions and organisations was published in the weekly.
Infante Yupanqui has been threatened in person, he has received threatening phone calls at his home and threats against him have been published in pamphlets and tabloids. On one occasion, an individual named Celestino Torres approached the journalist, under orders of Melia Luz Quintanilla Melgar, member of council in Huamanga municipality for the political association Vamos Vecino (Letâs go Neighbour). Torres warned the journalist to stop publishing articles that incriminate the municipality or else his “terrorist” past would be made known to his colleagues.
An anonymous pamphlet, circulating in Ayacucho since Monday 20 December 1999, attempts to mar the journalistâs honour and reputation and alleges that he is linked to a subversive group, by making reference to Infante Yupanquiâs detention between 1992 and 1994. Accussed of being a terrorist, the journalist was unjustly and arbitrarily detained for two years and seven months, although he was later absolved of the accusation. During his detention, Infante Yupanqui received support from a number of media, national and international human rights organisations, and organisations working for press freedom.
The journalist asserts that the false accusations and insinuations against him are aimed at depriving him of his freedom and thus silencing the “Democracia” weekly. He has asked for protection for himself and his family and holds those individuals who were named in his articles personally responsible for whatever may happen to him and his family.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– asking for an investigation of and an end to the threats directed against the journalist
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Fax: +51 1 427 6722 / 426 6535
Alberto Bustamante Belaunde
President of the Council of Ministers
Fax: +51 1 447 1628 / 475 0689
Edgardo Mosqueira Medina
Minister of the Presidency
Fax: +51 222 3678
Miguel AljovÃn Swayne
Attorney General
Fax: +51 1 426 2474
Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 1 426 6657
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
