Communique #13
Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru
Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA)
To The Peruvian And International Community:
The guerrilla units of the Tupac Amaru Popular Army deplore the
arbitrary detention of campesinos in guerrilla-held areas. The aim
of these detentions is to terrorize the campesinos in their
communities.
In the Upper Yurinaqui region, the army arrested 15 and then 21
campesinos. They were accused of being MRTA militants. We would
also like to report the disappearance of 4 campesinos and the
murder of Fortunato Chipana in the presence of his wife, who now
is in danger herself since she was a witness to this most recent
crime by the army. These actions against the civilian population
cannot be excused. The army knows full well that Tupac Amaristas
do not stay in the homes of the campesinos, rather out in the woods.
In the community of Nagasur, Oxampampa, and in the community of Puerto
Ubirike, 15 campesinos were arrested. The villagers have stated
that they were tortured into confessing crimes which they did not
commit. The campesinos were placed in tubs of water connected to
electric batteries. They then confessed to allegedly stealing
food, money, radios, and other materials.
We condemn these arbitrary actions against the civilian
population. The civilian population is largely comprised of poor
campesinos and comuneros. Their names are not known, so the media
are not interested in them. But their dignity and their human
rights must be respected. They must not be detained, tortured, and
murdered.
The MRTA demands a statement condemning the murder of Fortunato
Chipana and condemning those responsible for the torture of the
campesinos. We appeal to human rights organizations, to the
International Red Cross, and to the churches to join together and
form a commission to protect the lives and bodily integrity of the
campesinos and comuneros in the guerrilla zones from the
"excesses" of the state's armed forces. We appeal to the
international solidarity to be attentive to these events and to
condemn the attacks and human rights violations which the
comuneros and farmers suffer from in the zones of conflict.
The Struggle Continues!
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