Derechos Human Rights Calls for Investigation of Deaths at Japanese Ambassador's Residence
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- " For Immediate Release April 25, 1997 Contact: Michael Katz-Lacabe Executive Director, Derechos Human Rights (510) 528-7794 hr@derechos.org Derechos Human Rights Calls for Investigation of Deaths at Japanese Ambassador's Residence Derechos Human Rights welcomes the rescue of 71 of the 72 hostages that were held at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Peru. However, Derechos is extremely concerned by reports that some Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) members may have been killed after being captured alive. The decision to rescue the hostages by force came after consistent calls by government leaders around the world for a peaceful solution to the hostage crisis. The timing of the decision is particularly troubling because it came on the heels of recent reports that Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's popularity had dropped to new lows. According to former hostages, MRTA member Tito was captured alive and unarmed. He was handcuffed and taken out of the ambassador's residence through a tunnel. As soon as the end of the tunnel was reached, Tito was taken back to the embassy and never seen again. MRTA member Cintya was reportedly captured alive and was heard shouting "Don't kill me!" Two young female MRTA members reportedly shouted "We surrender! We surrender!" when Peruvian security forces stormed the building. One hostage told the Asahi newspaper, referring to the death of an MRTA member, "I saw a murder...I realized that the terrorist arrested (earlier) was killed when I heard the news that (all) 14 terrorists had died in the operation." All MRTA members were reportedly shot in the head after the initial attack. Peruvian television footage showed what appeared to be a body without arms or a head next to the body of MRTA leader Nestor Cerpa Cartolini, who was also reportedly executed while unarmed. The bodies of the MRTA rebels were reportedly buried in unmarked graves despite previous government assurances that the bodies would be released for wakes and family burials. Michael Katz-Lacabe, Executive Director of Derechos Human Rights, said, "The Peruvian government's handling of the bodies lends a great deal of credence to hostages' accounts of MRTA members being executed after being captured alive. Derechos Human Rights condemns the hostage-taking by the MRTA but also recognizes that terrorists are humans and may not be summarily executed." Derechos Human Rights is very concerned about reports that Supreme Court Justice Carlos Giusti may have died as a result of inadequate medical attention from a bullet wound. Giusti earned the respect of Peruvian human rights advocates by asserting his independence and voting to try soldiers accused of human rights abuses in a civilian court. The accused soldiers were later granted amnesty by the Fujimori government. These reports are especially troubling given Peru's dismal human rights record. Human Rights organizations have documented hundreds of extra-judicial executions committed by members of the Peruvian security forces, including several massacres, since President Fujimori took power in 1990. Derechos Human Rights calls on the Peruvian and Japanese governments to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation into the deaths of Supreme Court Justice Carlos Giusti, Lt. Col. Juan Valer Sandoval, Lt. Raul Jimenez Chavez, and all MRTA members. The results of the investigation should be made public. " -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQCVAwUBM2D6pcubSbNUhI89AQF0qgP/VI4EC07PQRsTlJo5IX6XezDGLPtPsKKJ eDxXh2XPjDG8W+/M9GiLZunxmN//CCmzFs/7isKJcIkH759H1jiyWNT27z8s9lIG r17PPlvc+vm6W8Ckp+XvtGbeHghKboo2WGMKzSMc9Qs2lo2HgES1Zz+LEj6pfQWi AiesFi1Bx9s= =jffC -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
About the Situation at the Japanese Embassy
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