Maxima Acuña and her family are at risk of violence and forced eviction. Photo: Grufides.
PU, 6 February, 2015.- The Unity Pact of Indigenous Organizations of Peru called for the defense of life, integrity and the rights of the Acuña-Chaupe family, beneficiaries of the injunction 452-Peru issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in 2014.
On Tuesday morning this peasant family lived moments of terror when about a hundred members of the Direction of Special Operations (DINOES) and private security personnel hired by the Yanacocha mining company destroyed a construction being built on their property.
The Unity Pact demanded that the Peruvian government stop "ignoring and undermining the injunction of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights" and effectively fulfill it "in order to protect the life and integrity of all the beneficiaries and their rights."
The Unity Pact expressed solidarity with the Acuña-Chaupe family and demanded "an impartial and thorough investigation in order to identify the direct and indirect responsible parties for the climate of terror imposed on this peasant family".
Furthermore, indigenous representatives demanded that Congress investigate the contracts between the Yanacocha company and the police, which point to the privatization of public force and denature its functions.
The Unity Pact is the joint organ of the national indigenous organizations that requested the injunction before the Commission, for the climate of intimidation experienced by peasants, ronderos and citizens who oppose the Conga mega mining -project.
Following is the full statement of the Unity Pact:
Illegal regime of terror imposed in the service of Yanacocha with the complicity of the National Police
DINOES and Yanacocha private security forces destroy construction in Acuña-Chaupe family lands.
On Tuesday, February 3, at 10:30 am, the Acuña-Chaupe family lived a new chapter of terror when over a hundred members of the National Police of Peru (PNP) and Minera Yanacocha private security company Forza-Securitas, anonymously and without any court order, destroyed a wall that was being built within its premises located in the area of Tragadero Grande, in the region of Cajamarca.
The traditionally made wall knocked down, was being built legitimately because the family of Máxima Acuña has possession of the land.
The attackers went so far as to threaten Máxima husband, Jaime Chaupe, who heard a policeman saying, "Shoot him so that he does not build". Although the shots were not made, the threats and climate of defenselessness did not cease until noon, when the aggressors fled the scene.
Climate of terror against Acuña-Chaupe family
It is not the first time that the police attack the Acuña-Chaupe family. In 2011 a police contingent entered their property, physically assaulted them and burned the family home. On January 20, 2015 there was another act of violence when police entered his home making threats.
This family has been instrumental in the legitimate peasant resistance against transnational mining company Yanacocha, because their land lays within the area of the Conga project, in the sector known as Tragadero Grande, Celendín province.
In their private property the Acuña-Chaupe give shelter and food to the "Keepers of the Lakes", peasants who watch over the ecosystems threatened by the Conga mining project.
Acuña-Chaupe family legitimate possession
The mining company initiated a lawsuit against the Acuña-Chaupe family for the land in dispute, accusing them of "violent usurpation". A local judge sentenced Máxima Chaupe to two years and eight months of suspended jail, compensation to the mining company and surrender the property.
However, in 17 December, 2014, a Court of Appeals ruled in their favor and acquitted the family of all charges, deeming that none of the allegations made by Yanacocha were proved.
Unable to evict them by legal means, the mining company has shown no mercy with this family and discharges upon them all their hatred.
Given these facts, the Unity Pact of Indigenous Organizations of Peru states and demands:
Enough of police abuse and arrogance! We demand respect for the democratic State and law enforcement!
We ask the National Congress to review the contracts between Yanacocha mining company and police forces, which privatized law enforcement and denatured its social function.
We demand that the Peruvian State no longer ignore the precautionary measure given by the IACHR in favor of Acuña-Chaupe family and enforce it effectively.
We demand an impartial and thorough investigation to identify those responsible for direct and indirect climate of terror imposed upon the Acuña-Chaupe peasant family.
Lima, 3 February, 2015
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