The Human Cost of Obtaining Civil Liberties

By Broadside Correspondent Rachel Palting. Photo by Brittany Rouse

A panel discussion concerning the human rights movement in Peru took place Tuesday, Sept. 30, in the Johnson Center Cinema. Moderated by Professor Jo-Marie Burt of the Department of Public and International Affairs, the presentation featured three guest speakers: Francisco Soberón, founding director of the Human Rights Association, Gisela Ortiz, a spokesperson of family members of the victims of the Cantuta massacre, and Ronald Gamarra, the Executive Secretary, member of the National Human Rights Committee and lawyer representing victims at the trial of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori.

Soberón began the discussion by giving background information about the human rights movement in Peru. The group has been using all means possible to gain justice for more than two decades. However, Peruvian authorities have kept prosecutors from getting information and as time goes on, witnesses continue to die. Altogether, making a case becomes more and more difficult. Saberón emphasized a need for more Human Rights activism and social support.

Ortiz had been a student at La Cantuta, a Peruvian university, and a protester of the Fujimori regime. Ortiz gave a personal testimony, translated by Burt, of her brother’s death.

In November of 1993, his body was found in a mass grave. His corpse was the only one found whole, with four bullets embedded in his skull. Since then, Ortiz and family members of other victims of the massacre have pushed for truth and justice. Military courts tried Fujimori’s accomplices, and the criminals were temporarily jailed until their leader granted them impunity. Ortiz said she had a hard time accepting that her country protected these criminals instead of respecting human rights.

“Justice is a right that we have... We’re hopeful that in this trial of Fujimori there is a conviction of his responsibility in these crimes... [We must] recognize that this judicial process involves all of us, Peru and everyone around the world. These were crimes against humanity,” Ortiz said.

Gamarra was the last to speak. He explained the Fujimori case from a lawyer’s perspective. Fujimori, who has pleaded innocent, has access to all his rights and any documents he may need, but putting Fujimori on trial has been difficult. However, Gamarra said, “We are all equal before the law in rights and responsibilities. No one is above the law, much less the President of the Republic.”

Samantha Urriolagoitia, a senior majoring in Global Affairs, said, “[Ortiz’s] personal experience with the Cantuta Massacre was very touching.”

Justin Edwards, a senior majoring in government, “[It’s] so unprecedented in Latin America for a president to be accountable for his actions. There’s a history of impunity. Hopefully, [Fujimori] is the first of many leaders held accountable. It’s very encouraging to me.”