Subject: PERU: Abuse of the Rights of Women 4:38 pm Sep 12, 1991 Source: Peacenet (Fido:25

From:    William Bowles
Subject: PERU: Abuse of the Rights of Women

4:38 pm  Sep 12, 1991
Source: Peacenet
(Fido:250/222) igc:aicoord
Conf:ai.general
Teachers in Peru: BERTHA ROJAS LOPEZ

Amnesty International is concerned about the physical safety
of BERTHA ROJAS LOPEZ, a school teacher, and her sons Fritz
Elias, Vladimir Roy and Waldemar Jose Cerron Rojas.

According to reports, Bertha Rojas and her sons have been
subject to death threats from unidentified persons after she
began pressing for an investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the abduction and subsequent killing of her
husband, Jaime Cerron Palomino. Her husband, who was Vice-
Rector of the Universidad Nacional del Centro, the National
Central University in the city of Huancayo, Junin
Department, was found dead on June 17, 1990, together with
his driver. The body of Jaime Cerron had multiple gunshot
wounds and his hands and feet had been cut off. His
abduction was carried out by armed and hooded men believed
to be members of security forces, or men acting with the
acquiescence of the security forces. He had been arrested
previously, accused of being linked to "terrorist"
activities, but released due to lack of evidence. He had
also received anonymous death threats.

The telephone threats to Bertha Rojas reportedly began in
June 1990. She believes that the threats are an attempt to
stop her from reporting her husband's illegal detention, and
subsequently to prevent her from demanding an investigation
by the authorities. She believes that they are from the same
people that killed her husband.

In a written testimony to a human rights group Bertha Rojas
states: "The tragedy began for us on June 8, 1990, when they
abducted my husband while on his way to work at the National
Central University. Since then things have been terrible,
especially because of the threats I am getting."

As a result of the threats, Bertha Rojas and her sons had to
abandon their home in Huancayo to take refuge in Lima. But,
as a result of economic difficulties, they were forced to
return to Huancayo. According to reports, in June 1991 the
family started to receive death threats again on a daily
basis, sometimes as much as three times a day. In her
testimony Bertha Rojas states: "I had a terrible shock
because they started calling me again and they said to me:
good night because you may never see day break again".

The case has been reported to the Fiscalia Provincial de
Huancayo, the Provincial Attorney of Huancayo and to the
Policia Tecnica, the investigative police, but no response
has been received. Amnesty International is concerned for
the safety of Bertha Rojas and her sons.

Background:

Amnesty International continues to receive reports of
threats and attacks on those trying to make inquiries about
their "disappeared" or dead relatives, as well as on
witnesses, those carrying out investigations, lawyers,
judges and human rights defenders. The day after the
"disappearance" of Jaime Cerron a bomb was planted in the
house of Rosa Mandujano, the human rights secretary of the
Frente de Defensa de Huancayo, a human rights group. More
recently Amnesty has received reports of the intimidation on
the part of the armed forces of Dr. Moies Ochoa, Inspecting
Judge of Huanta.

The danger involved in reporting "disappearances" and
extrajudicial executions often stops relatives from directly
denouncing the facts to the authorities. This, in turn,
contributes to the pattern of impunity which so often
surrounds human rights violations in Peru.

Action Request:

Please write courteously worded letters/faxes/telegrams;
-expressing concern at the death threats received by Bertha
Rojas Lopez and her sons;
-asking that all the necessary measures be urgently taken to
guarantee their physical safety;
-asking for an investigation into the threats and that those
responsible be brought to justice;
-asking for guarantees that Bertha Rojas Lopez may carry out
her legitimate attempts to press for an investigation into
the death of her husband, Jaime Cerron Palomino.

Appeals to:

Presidente Alberto Fujimori, Presidente de la Republica,
Palacio de Gobierno, Plaza de Armas, Lima 1, Peru

Telegrams: Presidente Fujimori, Lima, Peru
Telexes:   394 20167 PE PALACIO; 394 20331 PE SEC PRE

Copies to:

Ambassador Roberto McLean, Embassy of Peru, 1700
Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036

Senores, CEAPAZ, Centro de Estudios y Accion para de PAZ,
Apartado 11-0764, Lima 11, Peru