Over 400 Christians in Peru signed an open letter in March 2023, to express their respect and support for the Aymara, Uro and Quechua peoples marching in defense of democracy and human rights.
The following article was published in the May-June 2023 issue of NewsNotes.
More than 400 Christians signed an open letter in support of the Indigenous protesters in Peru who have been met with violence from state and national police forces since late 2022, after the removal and arrest of the president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, left them feeling politically disenfranchised. The original letter is written in Spanish and translated into English by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
“We are writing to express our solidarity with you and your struggle,” the letter begins, “and to tell you that as Christians we recognize the great example you are setting for the whole country with your marches in defense of true democracy and human rights; you are exemplary citizens and we demand that you be respected as such.”
The letter goes on to describe the Christian principles of participation, in which every person, made in the image of God, has the right and responsibility to participate fully in community and government, and of the preferential option for the poor, as the reasons for solidarity with the struggling Indigenous communities.
“As Christians we know that we must defend the cause of the people excluded from the system, the aspirations and struggles of the poorest and most marginalized of Peru, of those who have no drinking water, no health, no education, no healthy environment, due to irresponsible mining. We reject the mining concessions that want to be granted without respecting the right to prior consultation, eliminating their villages and agricultural lands and further contaminating the Pachamama.”
At least 55 Indigenous peoples have died, and more than 1,500 have been injured, in the protests since Dec. 7, 2022, an experience that the letter describes as “brutal repression that disqualifies those who now govern.”
“It is the obligation of the State to guarantee the fundamental rights of citizens, civilians and military,” the letter says, “it is not justified that police and military shoot bullets against people who do not represent an imminent danger to the life of someone; neither should they shoot buckshot to the chest or head, nor tear gas bombs, at close range; these are violations of human rights for which those who order or allow them will have to answer.”
The letter does not shy away from the more difficult and tragic moments of the violence, saying “we are pained by the mistreatment and death of the Aymara volunteer soldiers by an army that has no care for their lives. We also regret the death of the burned policeman and the acts of uncontrolled violence of minority groups that served as a pretext for the authorities and the media to undermine the peaceful protests of the majority.”
To bring about peace, the letter calls for an end to the militarization of the country, including the withdrawal of the Armed Forces and the lifting of the state of emergency in the region.
Thousands of the Indigenous peoples have traveled from the southern region of the country to join the protests in Lima, despite the expense and difficulties of traveling during a state of emergency. Speaking directly to the Indigenous community, the letter thanks them for “courage and citizen conscience for the right to political participation of our people. You have fought for your right to be heard and to be part of the decision making that happened to all of us, but especially to you.”
The letter goes on to defend the Indigenous protesters against “the suspicions, offensive insults of terrorists and vandals” calling the criticisms “biased, lying and slanderous.”
“We congratulate you, rather, for your courage in peaceful mobilizations, bravely facing an extreme and unjustified repression, which violates fundamental rights. We denounce all this with energy and indignation.
“We recognize your sacrifices to protest. We know that you are putting up your own money to protest, to travel, to come to Lima, etc. We recognize that it is a great effort by your communities, that you are not receiving funding from anyone and that you have self-convened.
“That is why we recommend to all people of will, democratic and supportive, to form a wide network of support for their demands.”
Faith in action
Read and share the letter in English and Spanish at https://mogc.info/Peru-solidarity
Photo of protests courtesy of Sr Pat Ryan MM