Peru: Faith-filled Defense of Safe Water
Former Maryknoll Lay Missioner Barbara Fraser reports of recent legal victories for water defenders.
Former Maryknoll Lay Missioner Barbara Fraser reports of recent legal victories for water defenders.
Maryknoll joined ten other faith groups in a letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Peru requesting the Ambassador’s support for the human rights of government protestors.
We are writing to express our solidarity with you and your struggle 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.
Protests following the failed coup attempt of the former president were met with deadly police violence
Mr. President, we ask you to immediately suspend U.S. security assistance to Peru until the violent repression ends and human rights violations are addressed.
What happened in the city of Juliaca and Puno can only be described as one of the worst massacres that have occurred in our country in recent years. We reiterate that it is not up to the National Police of Peru or the Peruvian Armed Forces to resolve the conflicts that have been taking place. It is the duty of the central government and the Congress of the Republic to find a realistic, nonviolent solution within a reasonable time that will restore tranquility and peace to the country.
As of this morning 26 people have been killed in the country during the protests of the last week (some only teenagers). We are hoping that there be no further loss of life and that the government listen to the people.
The following story was published in the September-October 2012 NewsNotes.
Maryknoll Sister Pat Ryan on mission in Peru is a member of the NGO Human Rights and the Environment; she is the source of the information in this article regarding the community of Condoraque. The following article was published in the September-October 2012 NewsNotes.