Peruvian Ambassador Hides Upstairs

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Jorge Herrera of the Wellington Zapatista Support Group with Sra Arca

Some 20 people today picketed the Peruvian Embassy in Wellington, in response to the atrocities committed against indigenous Peruvians on 5 and 6 June in the Amazon region. The protestors collected signatures from passersby for a petition to present to Mr Carlos Zapata, Peruvian Ambassador to New Zealand, demanding an immediate cessation of the violent repression of Peru's indigenous peoples, the revoking of the disputed decrees, cancellation of the arrest orders for indigenous leaders, and an independent enquiry into the events of 5-6 June 2009. In two hours they had collected more than 75 signatures, but police would not permit them to deliver the petition to the Ambassador. Instead his personal assistamt Sra Mariela Arca came down to the foyer of the building and received the petition on his behalf.

The Wellingon petition is but one of hundreds of international acts in solidarity with the victims of the Peruvian Government's recent repression, including similar actions outside Peruvian embassies and consulates in several countries, as well as condemnation by human rights and church groups, such as the Archbishop of Peru (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/217426/124455880734.htm), and the World Council of Churches (http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/messages-and-letters/09-06-09-letter-to-peruvian-president-garcia.html).

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Picket outside Peruvian Embassy, Wellington

While the Peruvian government has in recent days since suspended two of the most contentious decrees, indigenous spokespeople have stated that they will not settle for less than a full repeal of the laws. Amazon Watch reported yesterday that the climate is still extremely tense in the Bagua region, and numerous indigenous people and civilians are still reported missing. They have called for the government to demilitarize the region, to enable health workers and rescue teams to search for the missing, establish an independent investigative commission, and repair damages.

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Protestors outside Peruvian Embassy

The Inter-Ethnic Association for Development of the Peruvian Amazon, AIDESEP, is sending a team from Lima to determine the true number of people killed and missing. "People are speaking of more dead, even people whose bodies have been burned, but we don't want to give numbers until a delegation is able to travel to Bagua and talk to authorities and the family members of those missing," they told media in the capital.

While Mr Zapata plays hide, AIDESEP and others are playing seek - the true measure of Peru'sovernment will be whether they find justice.

ENDS

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