Peru--Christian Persecution in Peru

Latin America: Peru Country Report Last Updated: June 2003 Code: A-2, See below (Click here for a code description.)
	(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Peru.) List of Articles Last Updated: October 30, 1999

Religious Atmosphere: More than 90% of Peru’s population is Roman Catholic. Other religious groups present include Protestants, Jews, and Muslims.

Extremist Groups:

• Moviento Revolution Tupac Amaru (MRTA) -This terrorist faction rejects the concept of religious faith and threatens and intimidates religious workers on a regular basis.

Government:

• While the constitution provides for religious freedom, special recognition is given to the Roman Catholic Church.

Recent Actions:

• May 17, 2003 - A bomb exploded outside the home of Joshua Saune, a Quechua Christian leader in Ayacucho. Mr. Saune and his wife have been threatened in the past to discontinue their ministry. A red flag, the mark of the Shining Path terrorist group, was tied to the garage door. It appears they are being targeted by the terrorist group, which was responsible for the deaths of Mr. Saune's grandfather and two brothers. (ANS)
     
• October 2001 – On January 20, 1993, Walter Cubas was sentenced to life in prison, on the charge of collaborating with the terrorist organization Shining Path.  This year he was relocated to Castro Castro Prison, near Lima, and lives in a Christian cellblock.  The evangelical legal aid organization Peace and Hope Association have been bestowed admittance to Cubas’ legal archive, although they claim Cubas’ release will take a “near miracle.”  (Compass)
          
• July 27, 2001 – President Valentín Paniagua signed a pardon to release Edgar Cahuana Curi, an evangelical Christian arrested on false charges of terrorism in August of 1993. (Compass)
      
• April 14, 2001 – Three evangelical Christians falsely accused of terrorism have been pardoned and released from prison. Castañeda Regifo, Fernandez Alpaca, and Machaca Condori had all been charged with collaborating with Shining Path guerillas.
          
• September 4, 2000 – President Fujimori pardoned and released 47 prisoners who had been convicted of terrorism on the basis of circumstantial evidence and forced confessions. Among those released were Christians Daniel Ramos Rima and Edwin Caldas Cruz. Another Christian, Fernando Ruiz Diaz, was freed and absolved of guilt in an unrelated drug trafficking case.
          
• August 2000 – Compass Direct reported that evangelical Christian David de Vinatea may be eligible for parole in August of 2000. Mr. de Vinatea was arrested in November of 1995 and sentenced to 16 years in prison on drug trafficking charges. Although Christian and legal observers believe Mr. de Vinatea is innocent and cite many irregularities in his case, the former army colonel has remained in prison since his original sentencing.
       
• July 10, 1999 — President Alberto Fujimori announced that Peru would no longer accept judgements meted out by the Inter-American Court of Justice. This further dampens the efforts to gain official pardons for many Christians and others falsely accused of terrorism charges under the previously existing harsh legal code.

• December 1997- 83 people, including 15 evangelicals were released from prison after being detained for several months. They were released under the recommendation of the Pardon Commission, a government created organization which has obtained the release of 309 people who were condemned without sufficient proof.

Prisoners:

• No confirmed cases other than the detentions mentioned above. With the government’s practice of arresting people on terrorism charges without sufficient proof, it is likely more cases exist.

Suggested Actions You Might Take:

• Pray for the Christians of Peru that they may continue to be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.
• Write a respectful letter to one or more of the government officials listed below. Express your continuing concern for the safety and well being of the Christian community in Peru. Request information about what steps the government is taking to ensure their protection and freedom to practice their faith as laid out in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights documents. Emphasize the need for Peru to continue to honor its human rights agreements with the Organization of American States.
• Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Peru asking them to make an inquiry into their status.
• Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.

POSTED: June 6, 2003

ICC Articles on Peru: