(IPYS/IFEX) – On 2 July 1999, three journalists who were covering events in the interior of the provincial municipality of Satipo, in the Junín region, were physically assaulted by supporters of the re-elected mayor, Arturo Durand Panez. This occurred during a meeting between the mayor and his supporters, held to discuss a demonstration being planned […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 2 July 1999, three journalists who were covering events in
the interior of the provincial municipality of Satipo, in the Junín region,
were physically assaulted by supporters of the re-elected mayor, Arturo
Durand Panez. This occurred during a meeting between the mayor and his
supporters, held to discuss a demonstration being planned to protest against
the provincial judge, the public prosecutor attorney general and the press
in general. The mayor was reacting to a contempt of court ruling against him
and an order for his detention.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 28 April, 26 April and 21 April 1999**
Journalists Abel Robles Véliz and Nelly Castro Pachari, of the “Press
Freedom” news programme broadcast on Radio Studio 99; and Jorge Luis Romero
Mendoza, general manager of Radio Sideral, were assaulted in the attack.
They had been recording the meeting between the mayor and his supporters.
When those attending the meeting noticed them, they tried to take away their
tape recorder and forcibly remove them from the municipal building.
According to the journalists and other witnesses, the crowd, following the
mayor’s instructions, began to hit the journalists. The main assailants have
been identified as Víctor Caro Meza and Teresa Albitres, who was also the
main person involved in an attack against Radio Studio 99 on 19 April.
Luis Pariona, IPYS’ local correspondent, stated that the journalists were
helped by some citizens and were transferred to the National Police general
hospital where they were treated by Dr. Jesús Helder Murillo. Castro was
seriously injured and the doctor recommended that she rest for four days.
On 25 May, mayor Durand Panez was found guilty of willfully disobeying a
court order by judge Luis Canasco Alarcon, after he failed to appear in
court for the reading of his sentence for abuse of authority causing harm to
nine aldermen under his former administration. The judge ordered Durand
Panez to be detained. Since then, the mayor has locked himself inside the
municipal building, claiming that he has been subject to political
persecution. He has been speaking out against the local press, insulting the
journalists who questioned his management of municipal affairs, and has
uttered death threats against them.
As a result of this attack against freedom of expression and the continuing
harassment of the Satipo journalists by the mayor, the Satipo Assembly of
Communicators has decided to launch a campaign asking for the support of
journalists and media, and urging authorities to guarantee the right to
freedom of expression and the safety of those who exercise this right.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
for
guarantees for their safety
Appeals To
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Fax: +51 1 426 6535Jorge Santistevan de Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 1 426 6657Arturo Durand Panez
Satipo Provincial Mayor
Fax: +51 64 54 5867Luis Canasco Alarcon
Satipo Provincial Judge
Does not have a fax. Send care of +51 64 54 5461 (community telefax)Florencio Grández Mendoza
Satipo Provincial Public Prosecutor
Does not have a fax. Send care of +51 64 54-5461 (community telefax) or
+51 64 24 4425 (Office of the Public Prosecutor of Huancayo, capital of the
department of Junin)
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
