(IPYS/IFEX) – Journalist Perla Diana Villanueva Pérez, the television station Canal Nâs correspondent for Trujillo, in the northern department of La Libertad, was compelled to seek guarantees from the provinceâs sub-prefect, Sergio Sánchez K., to protect her life and the lives of her family members. In a document which the journalist sent to IPYS, she […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – Journalist Perla Diana Villanueva Pérez, the television station Canal Nâs correspondent for Trujillo, in the northern department of La Libertad, was compelled to seek guarantees from the provinceâs sub-prefect, Sergio Sánchez K., to protect her life and the lives of her family members. In a document which the journalist sent to IPYS, she stated that for more than fifteen days, unknown people had been watching her home and following her and her sister.
According to Perla Villanueva, the harassment began on Friday 7 April 2000, when a white Toyota car without a license plate attempted to crash into her. When she scolded the driver for his carelessness, he simply ignored her.
Three days later, on 10 April, five men in a black car followed the journalist’s sister, Mariana Villanueva, throughout the entire morning. The men were carrying firearms. Later, in the same place where they attempted to hit the journalist, they attempted to hit her sister. That same day, one of the men who had been following her stopped her in one of the city’s central streets. He called her by her name and warned her to be careful because “another day he might let his hand slip, and not stop the car”.
On Wednesday 12 April, a very similar incident occurred to Mariana Villanueva. Disguised as an ice-cream vendor, the same person who had stopped her two days earlier called her name several times and followed her for a while under the pretext of trying to sell her an ice-cream.
Villanueva Pérez also reported that her followers have been photographing her while she is on assignment as a reporter and correspondent for Canal N. She also expressed the fear that something might happen to her parents or siblings. During the short period of time she has been working as a journalist, she has never before experienced anything like this.
Several observers are of the opinion that Canal N was the only channel which offered independent coverage of the activities of the recent election campaignâs candidates and parties. The station did this despite the limitations imposed by having only a cable signal.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:- demanding an end to the harassment of Villanueva Pérez
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
Martha Hildebrandt Pérez
President of Congress
Fax: +51 1 426 8290
Blanca Nélida Colán
Attorney General
Fax: +51 1 426 2474
Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 1 426 6657
José Villanueva Ruesta
General Commander of the Armed Forces
Fax: +51 1 436 1423 / 435 4623
Carlos Bergamino Cruz
Minister of Defence
Fax: +51 1 433 6906
Italo Osorio Berrospi
Director of Police Region III of La Libertad
Fax: +51 44 22 3034
Sergio Sánchez Kong
Provincial Subprefect of Trujillo
Fax: +51 44 25 7480
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
