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Peruvian police and soldiers given 'licence to kill' protesters five years after Bagua violence Peruvian police and soldiers given 'licence to kill' protesters five years after Bagua violence
(about 1 hour later)
Five years after more than 30 people died in a bloody battle between police and environmental protesters in Peru, police and the armed forces have been granted a “licence to kill” demonstrators.Five years after more than 30 people died in a bloody battle between police and environmental protesters in Peru, police and the armed forces have been granted a “licence to kill” demonstrators.
The move has sparked fears among human rights group that there will be no reprieve for any excessive use of force as the mining industry continues to push into indigenous lands in Peru. The move has sparked fears among human rights groups that there will be no reprieve for any excessive use of force as the mining industry continues to push into indigenous lands in Peru.
The country is one of the world’s largest producers of silver, copper and minerals and the Peruvian Government has granted mining licences for huge parts of rural provinces.The country is one of the world’s largest producers of silver, copper and minerals and the Peruvian Government has granted mining licences for huge parts of rural provinces.
Local communities worried about its effect on their farmland and way of life, as well as pollution in rivers, have come into conflict with authorities through years of protests.Local communities worried about its effect on their farmland and way of life, as well as pollution in rivers, have come into conflict with authorities through years of protests.
In June 2009, 33 people died in Bagua in the Amazonas region, when police and protesters clashed at a road blockade over a new law allowing mining companies to enter indigenous territories without the community’s consent.In June 2009, 33 people died in Bagua in the Amazonas region, when police and protesters clashed at a road blockade over a new law allowing mining companies to enter indigenous territories without the community’s consent.
When police moved in to disperse the 2,000 Aguaruna and Wampi Indians, many of whom were carrying spears and machetes, violence broke out killing 23 police officers and 10 civilians.When police moved in to disperse the 2,000 Aguaruna and Wampi Indians, many of whom were carrying spears and machetes, violence broke out killing 23 police officers and 10 civilians.
Police appearing to beat a man at Bagua in 2009 A further 200 people were injured in the violence, 80 of whom had been shot, and witnesses reported police firing bullets and tear gas and beating unarmed protesters.Police appearing to beat a man at Bagua in 2009 A further 200 people were injured in the violence, 80 of whom had been shot, and witnesses reported police firing bullets and tear gas and beating unarmed protesters.
A trial of 53 people, mostly from the Awajun and Wampís communities, for their alleged responsibility for acts of violence and killing the police officers started on 14 May this year.A trial of 53 people, mostly from the Awajun and Wampís communities, for their alleged responsibility for acts of violence and killing the police officers started on 14 May this year.
They are among 400 protesters and activists facing prosecution on the basis of charges lodged by the mining companies, their staff or the public prosecutor, according to a report by the Dublin-based human rights group Front Line Defenders (FLD).They are among 400 protesters and activists facing prosecution on the basis of charges lodged by the mining companies, their staff or the public prosecutor, according to a report by the Dublin-based human rights group Front Line Defenders (FLD).
No charges have been brought against police for protesters’ deaths or injuries and the group is concerned that their new legal immunity will worsen the situation.No charges have been brought against police for protesters’ deaths or injuries and the group is concerned that their new legal immunity will worsen the situation.
Andrew Anderson, the deputy director of FLD, said: “Front Line Defenders has noted with deep concern a trend across the region of governments trampling over the rights of local and indigenous communities and of those defending them in their rapacious search for raw materials and profit.Andrew Anderson, the deputy director of FLD, said: “Front Line Defenders has noted with deep concern a trend across the region of governments trampling over the rights of local and indigenous communities and of those defending them in their rapacious search for raw materials and profit.
“The Government of Peru has an obligation to respect the rights of all its citizens and to protect those brave human rights defenders who speak out on their behalf.”“The Government of Peru has an obligation to respect the rights of all its citizens and to protect those brave human rights defenders who speak out on their behalf.”
Law 30151, which was adopted in January, states that members of the armed forces and the National Police are “exempt from criminal responsibility” if they cause injury or death through the use of their guns or other weapons while on duty.Law 30151, which was adopted in January, states that members of the armed forces and the National Police are “exempt from criminal responsibility” if they cause injury or death through the use of their guns or other weapons while on duty.
Illegal gold mining has led to acres of rainforest in Peru’s Madre de Dios region being destroyed Intimidation, death threats, surveillance and “judicial harassment” has also been reported by activists working against oil and mining companies in Peru.Illegal gold mining has led to acres of rainforest in Peru’s Madre de Dios region being destroyed Intimidation, death threats, surveillance and “judicial harassment” has also been reported by activists working against oil and mining companies in Peru.
Although the vast majority of cases have not led to prosecution, the report argues that the judicial system is being abused to smear environmental activists as “violent extremists”.Although the vast majority of cases have not led to prosecution, the report argues that the judicial system is being abused to smear environmental activists as “violent extremists”.
The FLD is calling on Peru’s government to repeal the “licence to kill” law for the police and armed forces and fully investigate reported harassment and brutality.The FLD is calling on Peru’s government to repeal the “licence to kill” law for the police and armed forces and fully investigate reported harassment and brutality.
Amnesty International has also called on Peruvian authorities to ensure everyone suspected of crimes at Bagua is brought to justice.Amnesty International has also called on Peruvian authorities to ensure everyone suspected of crimes at Bagua is brought to justice.
On a statement on the fifth anniversary of the violence, on 5 June, the group said the Government must “uphold the rights of indigenous people to ancestral lands, their means of survival and the right to free prior and informed consent on all matters that affect them”.On a statement on the fifth anniversary of the violence, on 5 June, the group said the Government must “uphold the rights of indigenous people to ancestral lands, their means of survival and the right to free prior and informed consent on all matters that affect them”.
Guadalupe Marengo, the group’s Americas deputy programme director, said: ““If the Peruvian authorities are truly committed to bringing to justice those suspected of criminal responsibility for these deaths, it is not enough to punish the protesters and ignore possible abuses by the police.Guadalupe Marengo, the group’s Americas deputy programme director, said: ““If the Peruvian authorities are truly committed to bringing to justice those suspected of criminal responsibility for these deaths, it is not enough to punish the protesters and ignore possible abuses by the police.
“The authorities must learn from the lessons of Bagua.”“The authorities must learn from the lessons of Bagua.”