(IFJ/IFEX) – Journalist Fernando Santos Rojas is the director of the news programme “Libertad de Prensa” (Freedom of the Press), which is broadcast daily on Radio Studio 99, in the town of Satipo, in the Peruvian forest. Santos Rojas denounced an act of vandalism carried out by persons who entered the studio premises and destroyed […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – Journalist Fernando Santos Rojas is the director of the news
programme “Libertad de Prensa” (Freedom of the Press), which is broadcast
daily on Radio Studio 99, in the town of Satipo, in the Peruvian forest.
Santos Rojas denounced an act of vandalism carried out by persons who
entered the studio premises and destroyed the recording and announcing
booth.
**Updates IFEX alert of 21 April 1999**
In a conversation with the human rights section for Latin America of the
IFJ, Santos Rojas reported that the assault occurred on 19 April 1999, at
6:30 p.m. (local time), at which time he had been editing some material for
his programme. He stated that reporter Abel Robles and radio announcer Jose
Pimentel were attacked first before other excesses were carried out.
The director of “Libertad de Prensa” said that these attacks have been going
on since the past year. On 11 October 1998, the day of the municipal
elections, a mob that included supporters of mayor Arturo Durand Panez tried
to take over the radio station and prevent the news programme from being
aired.
In the middle of January 1999, at around 8:30 p.m. (local time), three
unknown individuals tried to assault Santos Rojas, while he was on his way
home, and they told him: “You better not keep criticising or we are going to
make you disappear.”
These events were communicated to the provincial prosecutor, Florencio
Grandez Mendoza, and he was asked to provide guarantees for the journalist’s
life and for allowing him to continue reporting.
Santos believes that mayor Durand Panez is behind these attacks, as his
municipal management is constantly being criticised. The mayor’s animosity
against Santos is apparent in a document submitted to the Peruvian National
Journalists’ Association, which states that the journalist has offended the
municipality and other journalists.
It is known that the mayor owns two radio stations, which he uses to his
advantage when he has disagreements with his opponents.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Santos Rojas and the free dissemination of his programme, and to prevent
further physical attacks against Radio Studio 99
immediately investigated, so that those who are behind them and those who
carried them out are identified and brought to justice
Appeals To
Miguel Aljovín Swayne
Attorney General
Lima, Peru
Fax: +51 14 262 474Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Lima, Peru
Fax: +51 14 267 800Denis Vargas Marín
President
Human Rights Commission
Congress of the Republic
Fax: +51 14 263 231Gral. Ep. José Villanueva Ruestas
Minister of the Interior
Fax: +51 12 242 407
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
