Andina

Human Rights Watch rules out political persecution in Peru

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

17:01 | Lima, Jul. 10.

Human Rights Watch's Americas Division Director Jose Miguel Vivanco on Wednesday ruled out the existence of political persecution in Peru, underlining there is full democracy with independence of powers in the South American country.

According to the officer, the campaign —announced by Fuerza Popular political party's lawmakers— aimed at reporting alleged persecution and abuses against former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori to the international community does not even have the slightest chance to succeed.

Likewise, Vivanco indicated no one disputes that there is a democratic government system in Peru, which relies on "independent media outlets, a vibrant civil society, an independent Judiciary, and a Public Ministry that is capable of carrying out investigations like the ones it has done, which compromise past powerful politicians."

In this sense, the legislators informed they would present their leader's situation to the Organization of American States, Parliaments, and Presidents of diverse nations. 

Concerning said matter, Vivanco pointed out the concept of political prisoners is reserved for people who are persecuted and imprisoned for their opinions or ideas, which is not the case of Keiko Fujimori

Remarks were made to Andina news agency.

Keiko Fujimori


The Judicial Branch declared well-founded the request made by the Prosecutor's Office to imprison Fujimori because of the danger of obstruction of justice that implied keeping her free.


After having fled to Japan and traveled to Chile —from where he was extradited to Peru— the Fujimori patriarch was sentenced for crimes against human rights and corruption committed during his term in office.



Human Rights Watch 

Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world. It is composed of roughly 450 people of 70-plus nationalities who are country experts, lawyers, journalists, and others who work to protect the most at risk, from vulnerable minorities and civilians in wartime, to refugees and children in need.

(END) RSJ/CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 7/10/2019