(IPYS/IFEX) – On 29 January 2003, members of the Civil Construction Union (Federacion de Construccion Civil) attacked journalists who were covering their demonstration during the second day of a labour disruption. The workers were marching towards downtown Lima, where public demonstrations are prohibited according to a municipal order. Armed with steel rods and sticks, the […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 29 January 2003, members of the Civil Construction Union (Federacion de Construccion Civil) attacked journalists who were covering their demonstration during the second day of a labour disruption. The workers were marching towards downtown Lima, where public demonstrations are prohibited according to a municipal order.
Armed with steel rods and sticks, the demonstrators tried to impede photojournalists and camera operators from recording events on at least six different occasions.
A stick-wielding demonstrator hit photojournalist Santiago Bardo, of “Perú 21” newspaper. Journalist Luis Talledo, of the daily “Expreso”, was nearly beaten by a mob.
América Noticias television station reporter Isabel Rengifo and her camera operator were struck and shoved away from the demonstration. The mob tried to prevent them from filming the violence and damages caused.
Lima Prefect Jorge Chávez Lamfranchi warned the labour leaders that they could face charges for the attacks against the journalists. He noted that the construction workers had not respected an agreement with the local authorities that allowed them to march through specific city streets but did not authorise them to enter the historic city centre.
President Alejandro Toledo emphatically condemned the attacks and violence against the journalists. In a message to the construction workers, Toledo stated, “journalists can be critical of my government. But I ask that you remain calm. Express your grievances but do not assault them.”
The president later clarified his statement in an interview with a local cable channel, saying that he was not taking sides but “asking that acts of violence be avoided.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– asking them to ensure that journalists can safely carry out their profession
– calling for an investigation into the incidents so that those responsible are reprimanded
Appeals To
Alejandro Toledo Manrique
President of the Republic
Fax: +51 1 427 67 22 / 426 65 35
Luis Solari De la Fuente
Ministers’ Council Chair
Fax: +51 1 447 16 28 / 475 06 89
Alberto Sanabria Ortiz
Interior Minister
Fax: +51 1 224 24 05
Nelly Calderon Navarro
Attorney General
Fax: +51 14 264 620 / 262 474
Walter Albán Peralta
Ombudsman (i)
Fax: +51 1 426 66 57
General PNP José Tisoc
Director General of the Peruvian National Police (PNP)
Fax: +51 1 225 17 75
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
