92003E0678

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0678/03

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Council

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Arrest of the Peruvian national Nelson Palomino

Last week, whilst I was staying in Lima Nelson Palomino one of the leaders of the Peruvian campesinos was arrested on charges of incitement to terrorism, an offence covered by the Fujimori government's Penal Code, which is currently undergoing reform. Peruvian press sources indicate that Palomino is allegedly guilty of encouraging demonstrations and road blocks without ruling out the use of force.

Relations between the Peruvian Government and the campesinos are particularly tense because of a stalemate in the dialogue on a package of agricultural reforms, in particular the disastrous policies to eradicate by force the cultivation of coca.

During my meeting with the leaders of the Peruvian anti-drugs agency Devida, they refused to give me and the Secretary of the International Anti-Prohibitionist League, Marco Perduca, any information on the situation of the campesinos and, in particular, on the arrest of Palomino.

Can the Council ask the Peruvian authorities for information to be passed on to Parliament -concerning a situation which, if it is not tackled promptly in a spirit of dialogue, threatens to lead to outbreaks of violence such as those which caused dozens of people to die and hundreds to be injured in neighbouring Bolivia in recent weeks?

Reply

(22 July 2003)

The Council has been informed that, the Peruvian Public Prosecutor's Office, has formally charged Nelson Palomino la Serna with the offences of inter alia supporting terrorism, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping. An action in this respect has been brought before the District Court of Aynes, San Francisco Province, Department of Ayacucho. The case is currently at the preliminary investigation stage.

According to information provided on Friday 11 April by the Ayacucho regional directorate of the national prisons institute (INPE), Nelson Palomino was being held in Lianamilla Prison.

It is not for the Council to comment on an ongoing judicial process at national level. Nevertheless, the Council reaffirms that the maintenance of the rule of law and of democratic and civil rights is a key factor for peace in that region.