(IPYS/IFEX) – On 29 May 2000, journalist Leddy Mozombite Linares, host of the “Soncco warmi” (Heart of a woman – Corazon de mujer) programme on Radio Santa Rosa, was assaulted by four unknown individuals. The attack occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. (local time) near the intersection of Tacna avenue and Ica street, in downtown Lima. […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 29 May 2000, journalist Leddy Mozombite Linares, host of the “Soncco warmi” (Heart of a woman – Corazon de mujer) programme on Radio Santa Rosa, was assaulted by four unknown individuals. The attack occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. (local time) near the intersection of Tacna avenue and Ica street, in downtown Lima. The journalist had left the studio and was heading to the radio journalism studies centre (in the TEA academy).
In a telephone conversation with IPYS, Mozombite stated that the unknown assailants surprised her by coming up from behind, and tried to tear off her clothes while holding her arms down. They were interrupted in this attempt by a number of passersby who came to the journalistâs aid. Before fleeing however, one of the assailants threatened that the next time, she would not be saved.
Moments after this assault, an unknown woman came up to Mozombite and calmly told her that she should return to the station and sew up her pants. These words disturbed the journalist as they seemed to suggest that the stranger knew her well. Mozombite headed to the radio journalism centre, as it was the closest safe place. However, when she arrived at the academy, a man who was masturbating with one hand tried to grab her with the other.
The host of the “Soncco warmi” programme is also the director of the Training Centre for Domestic Workers. The instituteâs president and the director of the radio programme, Adelinda DÃaz Uriarte, informed “La República” daily that the incident is only one of the many harassment techniques directed at the radio stationâs reporters since February because of their criticism of the government (see IFEX alert of 31 May 2000). DÃaz further noted that the harassment and threats also result from the fact that her organisation refused to collaborate with President Alberto Fujimoriâs campaign. During the presidential electoral campaign, government agents offered the institute computers and the opportunity to have the radio programme aired on a more powerful frequency.
Mozombite asked the office of the ombudsman to guarantee her security.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– asking for an end to the pressure tactics against journalists and for an extensive investigation of Mozombiteâs case
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Ing. 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
Blanca Nélida Colán Maguiño
Attorney General
Fax: +51 1 426 2474
Martha Hildebrandt Pérez
President of Congress
Fax: +51 1 426 8290
Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 1 426 6657
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
