Archive for the ‘Fujimori’ Category
Very interesting analysis piece by Julio Arbizu González for Chile’s El Mostrador on Judge Alvarez’s ruling.
Ignorant Justice
Maxwell A. Cameron
Comment is free The Guardian.
Reprinted as “Blind Justice” in The Guardian Weekly, Vol. 177, No. 5, July 20-26, 2007, p. 20.
The decision of Chilean judge Orlando Alvarez to dismiss Peru’s request to extradite former President Alberto Fujimori betrays remarkable ignorance about the nature of the civil-military regime that operated in Peru between 1990 and 2000. The ruling sparked outrage in Peru and around the world, leading to criticism by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Washington Office on Latin America, and Peruvian human rights umbrella group APRODEH. Disgust was also expressed by Peruvian bloggers, many of whom can be found here.
Alvarez found no evidence that Fujimori gave direct orders, or even had first-hand knowledge of human rights abuses that occurred during his tenure in office. In his ruling, the judge implied that the Colina paramilitary group, which carried out black operations against suspected Shining Path Maoists, predated Fujimori’s election. The human rights abuses it committed were not part of a systematic policy by the government–they were excesses for which the army, not the President, was responsible.
The judge accepted at face value Fujimori’s defence that he expressly instructed the military to respect human rights. Alvarez added that the crimes for which Fujimori is accused were covered by an amnesty in 1995–a law passed not by Fujimori, but by the Peruvian congress.
All of this flies in the face of reason and evidence. The very idea that the army carried out human rights abuses in defiance of Fujimori is utterly absurd. The Colina group was created by Fujimori’s closest ally, Vladimiro Montesinos, who was placed in charge of Peru’s intelligence operations shortly after the 1990 election. Montesinos worked assiduously to control the armed forces, and Fujimori provided political cover for his spymaster in return.
It is possible that some abuses by Colina operatives, such as the massacre at Barrios Altos, were ordered by Montesinos to enhance his blackmail power over Fujimori. But it takes two to tango. By closing congress, suspending the constitution, and purging the courts in April 1992, Fujimori removed himself and Montesinos from the reach of the law. He neutralized the judiciary, prevented investigations into higher levels of the military command or the executive, and created an obsequious congress that he could, in the words of Peruvian prosecutor Jose Ugaz, manage “with his beeper”. That the amnesty law was passed by congress was a mere formality; the law came from Fujimori, Montesinos and the high command of the armed forces.
It takes astonishing naïveté, or worse, to believe that Fujimori was not directly involved in human rights abuses. The ruling is a paean to impunity. One can only hope that the ignorance and biases in the thinking of this Pinochetista judge will carry little weight when the case is ultimately appealed to more competent authorities.
El Mercurio (Chile): Entrevista a Keiko Fujimori
En <a href="http://diario.elmercurio.com/2007/07/15/reportajes/_portada/noticias/121A2770-4385-4597-99A0-34E271925951.htm?id=”>entrevista con el diario chileno El Mercurio, la congresista Keiko Fujimori afirmó que su padre, Alberto Fujimori, volverá a Japón si sale elegido senador por el Nuevo Partido del Pueblo y el juez ratifique en última instancia el rechazo al pedido de extradición, porque “aún no existen las garantías de un debido proceso” en el Perú.
Encuesta PUCP Lima, 6 y 8 Julio 2007: 74% piensa que candidatura de Alberto Fujimori es “una burla a la justicia”
La última encuesta a nivel nacional del Instituto de Opinión Pública (IOP) de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) entre el 6 y 8 de julio, dió como resultado el rechazo mayoritario de la población a la candidatura de Alberto Fujimori al senado japonés.
Nota: la encuesta se realizo antes de conocerse el fallo del juez Alvarez en Chile.
Descargar encuesta
Estado peruano apela fallo del juez chileno Orlando Álvarez
Los abogados que representan al Perú en Chile, Alfredo Etcheberry y René García, presentaron a la Corte Suprema de Justicia un pedido de apelación al fallo emitido el miércoles 11 por el juez Orlando Álvarez pidiendo se revoque la decision porque no se ajusta al derecho internacional.
Update: Chilean Court Rules in Favour of Ex-President Alberto Fujimori
The announcement has provoked strong reactions in Peru. The decision is not final, the Chilean Supreme Court has to review the judge decision and potential appeals.
Copia del fallo del Juez
Up to the minute coverage at: Minuto a minuto, Chronology, APRODEH, RPP, Ideele Radio
Commentary: Fernando Tuesta, El Utero, Juan Sheput, La Nuez, Reportaje al Peru, Manuel Bernúdez Tapia, Carlos Rivera, Desde el Tercer Piso, Cesar Hildebrandt, Caretas, Jose Ugaz, Antonio Maldonado
Press Releases: APRODEH, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, WOLA, Amnistía Internacional
International Coverage
Interview with Gustavo Gorriti with As it Happens (CBC Radio), July 12, 2007. Duration: 00:08:25
Read also Jurist from University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Japanese Media Coverage
Fujimori inicia campaña al Senado en Japón
Photo: Perú 21, 12 de julio del 2007. Fuente: EFE.
El ex-presidente Alberto Fujimori inició su campaña de postulación al senado japones como candidato del Nuevo Partido de los Ciudadanos (NPC) presentando un vídeo en el que promete “jugarse la vida por el país de los samuráis”. ¿Los peruanos no han escuchado eso antes?
Reacciones ante la candidatura de Fujimori en Japón
Diversas reacciones, en el campo político y medios de prensa, ha causado el anuncio de la candidatura de Alberto Fujimori al Senado de Japón por el Nuevo Partido del Pueblo.
Confirmado: Alberto Fujimori postulará al Senado en Japón
Photo: Perú 21, Miércoles, 27 de junio de 2007
Carlos Raffo, Congresista de la República y vocero en Lima de Alberto Fujimori, confirmó que el ex presidente postulará al Senado japonés el 29 de julio. Según la página web del canal de televisión japonés NTV, el ex-presidente quiere usar su experiencia como presidente para trabajar a favor de Japón y el mundo, y mañana jueves dará las razones por las que aceptó la invitación del Nuevo Partido del Pueblo.
Fujimori intenta distraer atención con posible candidatura en Japón
El Nuevo Partido del Pueblo (Kokumin Shinto Nippon), un pequeño partido de extrema derecha japonesa, propuso el día martes 19 de junio a Alberto Fujimori como candidato al senado nipón en sus próximas elecciones legislativas; aunque los analistas políticos de ese país consideran que todo es parte de una estrategia publicitaria para las elecciones parlamentarias del próximo 29 de julio; para el canciller peruano José Antonio García Belaunde, es una “burda maniobra” que busca involucrar al gobierno japonés en el proceso de extradición.
Encuesta PUCP Lima, 8 Y 9 Junio 2007: 78% aprueba extradición de Alberto Fujimori
Source: La República, 14 de junio del 2007
Responsables del estudio: Fernando Tuesta Soldevilla y David Sulmont Haak.
Tamaño de la muestra: 480 ciudadanos en 30 distritos de Lima Metropolitana.
Nivel de confianza: 95%
Margen de error: ± 4,47%
Reacciones fujimoristas ante la posible extradición de Fujimori
Ante la imminente posibilidad de la extradición del prófugo ex presidente Alberto Fujimori, dirigentes de su partido advierten las consecuencias de esta medida buscando crear un escenario de convulsión social: marchas y hasta amenazas al actual Presidente Alan García. Por parte del gobierno, el canciller José Antonio García Belaunde pidió no politizar esta situación ya que se trata de un hecho netamente judicial.
Fiscal chilena recomendó la extradición de Alberto Fujimori
La Fiscal chilena Mónica Maldonado recomendó, en un informe el día 7 de junio, que el ex-presidente del Perú, Alberto Fujimori, sea procesado en su país por 11 casos: 3 de violación a los Derechos Humanos y 8 de corrupción. Este es hasta el momento, el paso más importante para extraditar al ex-presidente. Se estima su retorno antes de fin de año.
From our Fujimori archives: El Chino en Chile!; Return of Fujimori; The Trouble with Alberto; Yale University Forum on Fujimori; The Fujimori Legacy
Interview with Alfredo Etcheberry
Enrique Bernales sobre la libertad provisional de Alberto Fujimori
APOYO National Poll: Public Perceptions of A. Fujimori
Source: El Comercio, 28 de mayo del 2006
Prensa chilena: Fujimori es un huésped incómodo
Source: La República, 26 de mayo del 2006. Foto: EFE.
Alberto Fujimori will not Be Able to Talk to the Press in Chile
BBC Interview with Alberto Fujimori
Rosa Maria Palacios on Vladimiro Montesinos’ Statements
Analysis of Audio Tape by Vladimiro Montesinos Concerning Ollanta Humala
Maxwell A. Cameron
May 20, 2006
El Comercio has provided a transcript of the audio tape that was released to the press containing explosive comments by former president Alberto Fujimori’s intelligence chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, regarding Ollanta Humala and his uprising in Locumba on October 29, 2000. The tape was apparently made in secret, perhaps in the Callao Naval Base, and then leaked to the media by Montesinos’ lawyer.
The transcript is worth reading carefully for a number of reasons, but first a caveat: Montesinos is a pathological liar whose words should not be taken at face value. As one of his associates put it, Montesinos is “amoral, and has no principles. He functions according to his interests and objectives. It does not matter to him whether he steals a little or a lot; whether he blackmails a few people or lots of people. He can be enchanting when he wants to and [when he] has something to gain. When angered, he is a moral enemy; when he cries or laughs it is calculated” (quoted in Cameron 2006: 282-283).
There are two parts to Montesinos’ statement.
The first part of the statement by Montesinos reveals the extent of Peruvian military involvement in Fujimori’s re-election effort in 2000. According to Montesinos, the re-election campaign involved the distribution of stoves to popular kitchens, the circulation of propaganda, the organization of meetings, and the deployment of 80,000 scrutinizers throughout Peru. It also involved close coordination with the electronic and print media.
The mobilization and deployment of scrutinizers was undertaken by the intelligence service of the Peruvian army, under the leadership of Ruben Wong Venegas. Ollanta Humala, according to Montesinos, was responsible for organizing scrutinizers in the south of Peru, using Locumba as a base. In particular, he was charged with the task of recruiting reservists and other retired military personnel to serve as election officers, both in the first and the second rounds of the election.
In a press conference called late last night, Ollanta Humala dismissed the claim that was sent to Locumba to organize reservists as scrutinizers. Why, asked Humala would he be sent to Locumba to do this? He had been previously posted in Huancayo, the capital of Junin, which would have been a more logical place for such activity given its electoral weight.
The second half of Montesinos’ statement inadvertently reveals the limits of his own knowledge. Specifically, he appears to lack a clear understanding of why Humala led the uprising in Locumba. Montesinos implicitly offers three quite distinct interpretations of this event. Each interpretation coexists uneasily with the others.
The first interpretation is that Humala’s uprising was a “farce” and a ruse aimed at providing cover for Montesinos’ flight from Peru. Montesinos goes on to support this by saying that a serious military rebellion would have counted on support among military brass and the public, and would have threatened Fujimori’s power. Humala’s rebellion, if that is what it was, “never put at risk the continuity of the government.”
Curiously, Montesinos never offers any material evidence that he orchestrated Humala’s rebellion, something he ought in principle to be able to do. He merely reiterates the assertion–which has been a subject of speculation from the moment that the rebellion occurred–that the “farce” was a smoke screen.
The second interpretation offered by Montesinos is that Humala sought notoriety. In this view, the rebellion was aimed at creating a “personal image,” presumably with an eye toward a future political career. At least prima facie, this interpretation seems at odds with the first view. At the very least, it suggests a different motive for the Locumba rebellion.
A final interpretation is that Humala “lacked contact with the reality of the country.” Montesinos says there was a “possible dose of madness” in Humala’s actions, since the “strategic objective” were never defined. This seems to run contrary to the view that there was a clear strategic objective: to provide cover for Montesinos’ flight.
The inconsistencies between the various motives that are attributed to Humala give the reader the strong impression that Montesinos himself lacks any clear sense of what motivated Humala to lead his rebellion in 2000. That alone would seem to discredit, at least to some extent, Montesinos’ central claim: that Humala was helping to facilitate his departure from Peru on the Karisma yacht.
Note
Cameron, Maxwell A. “Endogenous Regime Breakdown: The Vladivideo and the Fall of Peru’s Fujimori,” in Julio F. Carrion, ed. The Fujimori Legacy: The Rise of Electoral Authoritarianism in Peru. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Penn State University Press, 2006.
Vladimiro Montesinos Intervenes in Runoff Election
Vladimiro Montesinos made statements apparently aimed at undermining the candidacy of Ollanta Humala. In a tape recording leaked to the press, Montesinos called Humala an opportunist and said that, as a military officer under the orders of the National Intelligence Service (SIN), Humala participated in illegal activities in support of the candidacy of Alberto Fujimori in 2000. He also said that the military rebellion led by Humala later in 2000 in Locumba was a farce that never placed the Fujimori government at risk.
Michelle Bachelet se pronuncia sobre el tema Fujimori
La presidenta de Chile, Michelle Bachelet, dijo que la liberación del ex mandatario peruano Alberto Fujimori no es una señal política para Perú y consideró que las relaciones entre ambos países deben mantenerse sin complicaciones, que este hecho es una decisión de los tribunales de su país y no de su gobierno.
Reactions to Fujimori’s Release
Source: La República, 19 de mayo del 2006. Foto: EFE.
The release of Alberto Fujimori in Chile caused diverse reactions. The two candidates for the presidency, Ollanta Humala and Alan Garcia, said the issue should not be politicized. The Fujimoristas celebrated the decision while the prosecutor for the Peruvian government, Antonio Maldonado, expressed his concern. According to Maldonado, bail has been set for only $3000 (spare change, as he put it), which is very low given that Fujimori is a flight risk. All Fujimori would have to do to escape justice would be to go to a foreign embassy (the Japanese embassy would be the most obvious choice, though Maldonado did not mention it directly) for a cup of tea.
La libertad provisional concedida a Alberto Fujimori en Chile trajo diversas manifestaciones, desde los candidatos a la presidencia Ollanta Humala y Alan García quienes han pedido no politizar el tema; de gente allegada a su entorno, como su hija Keiko Fujimori, Martha Chávez y de fujimoristas en general para quienes se ha hecho justicia; del procurador ad hoc Antonio Maldonado; así como parte de la ciudadanía, que ha expresado su profundo rechazo a esta resolución de la justicia chilena.
Mayo 19: Hemos añadido la cobertura de los diferentes medios de prensa nacionales.
UPDATE: Fujimori to be Released on Bail
Source: La República, 19 de mayo del 2006. Foto: EFE.
The Chilean Supreme Court has decided to release former president Alberto Fujimori on bail. The amount of bail has not been set, but one condition is already known: Fujimori will not be allowed to leave Chile. Initial reports do not indicate whether Fujimori will be able to make public statements. If Fujimori can speak with the media (and it is hard to see how he could be stopped once he is released), his statements could certainly have an impact on the election campaign in Peru.
Mayo 19: Hemos añadido la cobertura de los diversos medios de prensa nacionales.
Alianza por el Futuro (AF) seeks to lift ban on Alberto Fujimori
Alianza por el Futuro (AF) is studying the possibilty of lifting the prohibition on Alberto Fujimori’s right to hold political office on the grounds that it is based on a political decision. Carlos Raffo, spokesperson for the group, insists that his group is not interested in an amnesty since Fujimori is innocent.
Fujimoristas Close their Campaign Celebrating the “Auto-golpe”
Fujimoristas close their campaign in Lima celebrating the 1992 “auto-golpe” and with a surprise announcement: the wedding of Alberto Fujimori with Satomi Kataoka. Kataoka stole the show to presidential candidate Martha Chavez.
Fujimori´s Extradition: Peruvian Supreme Court Approves Accusation for 1992 Autogolpe
Alberto Fujimori Denies Knowledge of Massacre in Barrios Altos
Alberto Fujimori declared to a Chilean judge that he learned about the massacre in Barrios Altos by listening to the radio. Fujimori claims he had no knowledge of it and insisted he is innocent of all charges.
Posible regreso de Fujimori al Perú
El ex presidente Alberto Fujimori estudia la posibilidad de allanarse a la extradición debido a dos poderosos motivos: las negativas del ministro (juez chileno) Orlando Álvarez de otorgarle la libertad o el arresto domiciliario, pero sobretodo, por la ubicación en las encuestas de su candidata presidencial, Martha Chávez. Se piensa que su presencia (aunque detenido), ayudaría a su movimiento a tener una mayor presencia en la contienda electoral.
Corte Suprema de Chile denegó la libertad bajo fianza a Fujimori
Tras revisar la apelación que había presentado el ex presidente Alberto Fujimori para lograr ser liberado de la Escuela de Gendarmería, donde se encuentra detenido desde hace tres meses, la Corte Suprema de Chile resolvió mantenerlo en prisión preventiva argumentando en su fallo que su excarcelación constituye “un peligro para la seguridad de la sociedad” en los términos a que se refiere el artículo 363 del Código de Procedimiento Penal del país sureño. Los familiares de Fujimori habían alquilado una casa con rejas eléctricas, cámaras y alarmas para convencer a los jueces que le otorgaran el arresto domiciliario.
The Fujimori Legacy
The Fujimori Legacy: The Rise of Electoral Authoritarianism in Peru. Edited by Julio F. Carrión, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware.
Alberto Fujimori fue sometido a su primer interrogatorio
El magistrado de la Corte Suprema de Chile, Orlando Álvarez, quien tiene a su cargo el proceso de extradición contra Alberto Fujimori, tomó ayer la primera declaración indagatoria al ex presidente. Este fue el primero de varios interrogatorios a Fujimori, quien es requerido por las autoridades peruanas por delitos económicos, de corrupción y violación de los derechos humanos.
The Unreconstructed Fujimorismo of Martha Chávez
Maxwell A. Cameron
January 24, 2006
Martha Chávez, presidential candidate for Alianza por el Futuro, met this morning with the Association of the Foreign Press in Peru (Asociación de Prensa Extranjera en el Perú). Following a brief exposition, she held a conversation with about a dozen journalists in which she spoke about her candidacy, the role of Alberto Fujimori in the campaign, and the challenges facing any future government she might lead.
La Republica: Several Political Parties Have Links with Fujimori
Según el diario La República, además de Nueva Mayoría, Cambio 90 y Sí Cumple, los partidos Reconstrucción Democrática, Con Fuerza Perú, Y se llama Perú y Restauración Nacional tienen evidentes nexos con el fujimorismo. El ex presidente ha manifestado en Chile su interés en colocar congresistas en el nuevo Parlamento peruano, ubicando a sus miembros en diferentes partidos que si son electos se reagruparían en una sola bancada buscando favorecerlo.
A Cartoon with a Serious Message…
Source: Carlin, La Republica, 3 de enero del 2006
Government of Peru Presented Alberto Fujimori’s Extradition Request to Government of Chile
Procurador Maldonado: Not Enough Funding to Investigate Alberto Fujimori’s Bank Acccounts
Javier Valle Riestra: Alberto Fujimori could run
Indicó a RPP Noticias que el estar detenido en Chile no le impide al ex-presidente Fujimori postular a la presidencia de la República o al Parlamento, pues no lo priva de esos derechos.
Human Rights Watch: Probable Cause Evidence Implicating Fujimori
This 22-page report focuses specifically on information implicating Fujimori in five criminal cases currently pending in Peru, including human rights violations as well as acts of corruption that undermined Peru’s democratic institutions.
Human Rights Watch Report, December 2005, Volume 17, No. 6(B)
Presunción Fundada: Pruebas que comprometen a Fujimori
Probable Cause: Evidence Implicating Fujimori
Martha Chavez returns to congress
Source: La Primera
Maxwell A. Cameron, December 15, 2005
After a 42 month absence, Martha Chavez returned to her seat in congress. She had been forced out in mid-2002 due to an allegation that she had taken $20,000 (US) from President Fujimori’s de facto security chief, Vladimiro Montesinos.
She has been absolved of wrong-doing by the courts.
According to a report by Peru.21, when Chavez returned to the congress a number of lawmakers approached her to offer their congratulations. Members of the government kept their distance. The ambience was tense, with some legislators appearing uncomfortable. Many believe the removal of Chavez was excessive, and partisan, though others argue that the decision was consistent with the evidence of wrong-doing available at the time.
In a press conference Chavez indicated that the congress has lost prestige, and that she would return to her seat in the only out of a sense of obligation to the voters. She accused Carlos Ferrero of deceiving lawmakers by assuring them there was video evidence that she received had money from Montesinos. She said her human rights have been abused.
There is a dimension to this story which deserves greater attention. By suspending Chavez from congress in 2002, the members of the legislative majority acted like a judicial body. They took a decision that was not general in character, but specific. One of the worst abuses of power under the government of Fujimori was the tendency to pass “laws with proper names.” That is, rather than legislating about general matters, the congress often passed laws to benefit or penalize specific individuals.
An example of this is the “Law of Authentic Interpretation of the Constitution,” which was written with the sole purpose of enabling Fujimori to run for a third term in 2000, in violation of the 1993 constitution. Martha Chavez was a ferocious defender of this law, and she participated in the destruction of the Constitutional Tribunal when it attempted to overturn it.
A majority on the tribunal argued that an ordinary law should not be used to determine the meaning of an article of the constitution for no other purpose than to benefit a specific individual. Such a law violated both the idea of a hierarchy of laws and the idea that law should be general in character.
By removing Chavez from her seat, the current congress engaged in similarly punitive behavior. They encroached on the role of the judiciary. Deciding criminal guilt is business best left to judges, who are more competent to make such decisions. Now that their actions have been thrown back in their faces they naturally feel chagrined. Well they might. It is, after all, a sad day when someone like Martha Chavez can lecture the public about the abuse of power and human rights.
Alliance Cambio 90-Nueva Mayoria-Si Cumple falls apart
Cambio 90 and Nueva Mayoria will run together as “Alliance for the Future”. Keiko Fujimori will become the president of this alliance with a slate that will not include former president Alberto Fujimori. Si Cumple’ strategy is to run separately and keep Alberto Fujimori as its presidential candidate.
JNE Rejects Candidacy of Fujimori
The Office of the Registrar of Political Organizations (OROP) in the National Electoral Board (JNE) vetoed the presidential candidacy of Alberto Fujimori. Fujimori wants to run as candidate for the alliance Si Cumple-Cambio 90-Nueva Mayoria but has been banned from holding public office. The alliance has until Saturday, December 10, to present an alternative candidate.
Yale University Forum on Fujimori
Report on a Round Table ‘Fujimori: From Fugitive to Candidate?’
By Fabiola Bazo and Maxwell A. Cameron
Yale Center for International and Area Studies, New Haven, CT,
December 2, 2005
On December 1, 2005 a round table discussion was held at Yale University sponsored by The Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies, The Latin American Series at Yale Law School, The Orville H. Schell Jr. Center for International Human Rights, the Canadian Studies Committee, and the Yale Center for International and Area Studies (YCIAS). The topic was “Fujimori: From Fugitive to Candidate?”
Participants included: Enrique Mayer (Yale University); Julio Carrion (University of Delaware); Natalia Sobrevilla Perea (Yale University); Julia Maria Urrunaga (Yale University); Andres Mejia Acosta (University of British Columbia); Akira Watanabe (University of Tokyo); Maxwell A. Cameron (Yale University/UBC); Fabiola Bazo (Yale University).
Enrique Mayer introducing panelists
Congress will hand Fujimori files to the judiciary
Congress has decided to hand 17 charges (denuncias constitucionales) against former president Fujimori to the judiciary (Fiscalia de la Nacion).
Yale University Holds Forum on Fujimori
The Yale Center for International and Area Studies will hold a forum on Fujimori on December 1, 2005.
Kuczynski comments on “The Fujimori Legacy”
Current Peruvian Prime Minister Pedro Pablo Kucynski has written a commentary on The Fujimori Legacy, about to be published by The Penn State University Press. The volume is edited by Julio Carrion.
Expert explains Japanese view of Fujimori
Yves Tiberghien is a political scientist at The University of British Columbia, currently enjoying a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. As an exceptionally knowledgeable observer of Japanese politics, we asked him to explain why the Japanese public and political leadership seems to have such a positive view of Fujimori.