ARCHIVE PUBLISHES PERU HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTS
Washington, D.C., August 28, 2003 - Marking today's
release of the final report of the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation
Commission, the National Security Archive posted on the Web
33 of the most important declassified
U.S. documents used by the Commission in its work. The
documents detail 20 years of human rights atrocities in Peru,
recording a progression of events through three Peruvian regimes
(Presidents Fernando Belaunde, Alan Garcia, and Alberto Fujimori)
and highlighting key human rights violations committed by government
security forces and Peruvian insurgents.
The Commission's final report investigates 20
years of internal conflict and human rights abuses in Peru from
1980 to 2000. From the initial burning of ballot boxes by the
Shining Path in Chusqui, Ayacucho, on May 17, 1980, to the eventual
flight of former President Alberto Fujimori to Japan in November
2000, Peru has been witness to many forms of political violence
and human rights violations; committed by both government forces
and insurgent groups.
The National Security Archive assisted the Commission
in drafting a Freedom of Information Act request for the declassification
of US government documents pertaining to its investigation.
In the meantime, the Archive set about collecting all available
documents on the subject, and helped the Commission to analyze
any new releases. On January 6, 2003, the US Embassy delivered
326 declassified State Department documents to the Commission's
main office in Lima. For an analysis
of this release and links to the 326 documents themselves, click
here.
This briefing book offers a selection of historical
materials from U.S. government sources that sheds light on this
brutal period. They include two documents from the January special
release and 31 documents from collections of declassified documents
obtained by the National Security Archive through the Freedom
of Information Act. Both were important sources for the Truth
Commission's report.
Highlights from this briefing book include: