Impunity

Abstract

In April 1983, a group of migrants/refugees from highland Peru, but living in Lima, suspected that Shining Path had infiltrated the Andean village of their origin, a small agricultural community in the Department of Ayacucho. To rid their community from terrorists, these migrants returned to Ayacucho and warned the military there of what had happened. A military incursion in the village followed; houses were ransacked, and 25 men were tortured and taken away to the nearby military base. At least two men were publicly executed. Some of these men were released in the days between April 14 and 24, but the majority disappeared. On April 24, Shining Path entered the community and killed 12 men; the majority of those killed were Lima-based residents who had stayed behind after the military incursion. The military responded immediately, and returned to the village on the same day. In a neighboring community, 36 men were taken away and tortured. The military arrested eight of these men, as well as nine women from the first community. All were tortured; some men were later released, others were executed. The nine women and their youngest children were taken to the Cangallo military base. The women were kept in a small room at the base, together with their children.

I don’t want money, I don’t want cash. I want justice, because why should only I be crying? That the perpetrator may also cry.

Sra Fernanda, victim-survivor of sexual violence at the military base in Cangallo, Ayacucho, testimony 201508 PTRC