URGENT ACTION

18 KILLED DURING PROTESTS 
On 9 January, 18 people were killed during protests in the city of Juliaca, in the Puno region, in Peru. The country continues to experience protests and violence in different regions, following the announcement of then-president Castillo to dissolve Congress and his consequent arrest on 7 December. Both the National Police and the Armed Forces have used excessive force against protesters. At least 40 individuals have died since 7 December. Amnesty International urges President Boluarte to put an immediate end to all forms of unlawful force by the security forces.

TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra 
Jr. De la Unión S/N, cuadra uno Lima – 
Lima 15001, Perú 
dboluarte@presidencia.gob.pe 

Dear Madam President Dina Boluarte,

I am writing to express my concern about the deaths of 18 people, during protests in the city of Juliaca, in the Puno region, in Peru, on 9 January 2023. I am also concerned about the dozens of people who were injured that day.

These deaths add up to an alarming death toll of at least 40 individuals since the start of the political crisis in Peru on 7 December 2022 and in the context of the repression of protests. The government has targeted those who have expressed discontent with the crisis, by deploying the National Police and the Armed Forces during protests across the country and by making use of excessive force against protesters. 

International human rights standards on the use of force mandate that it should only be used against protesters when strictly necessary, in a proportional manner and for a legitimate purpose, and it should then be subject to a process of accountability. 

I urge you to seek dialogue and immediately put an end to all forms of unlawful force by the security forces, including effectively putting an end to any excessive use of force against demonstrators. I also urge you to use all available resources to safeguard the life and integrity of all injured persons, providing the necessary support to the families of the deceased and collaborate with authorities investigating all allegations of human rights violations in the context of the current crisis promptly, thoroughly, independently, and impartially.

Yours sincerely,

Additional information

Peru has been immersed in a prolonged political crisis in recent years, which escalated with the announcement made by then President Castillo of the dissolution of the Congress of the Republic on 7 December 2022. 
The Constitutional Court and the Congress rejected this decision, and Castillo was arrested that same day. The Vice President, Dina Boluarte, was quickly sworn in as President, and local authorities formally recognized her as the new President.
These events unleashed a major wave of protests in different regions of the country, which were repressed by the Peruvian armed forces and police. In the first days of the protests, dozens of people were injured and at least two people died. In addition, local journalists reported being assaulted and stripped of their equipment by the National Police.
By December 16, two days after the Peruvian State declared a state of emergency in the face of the political crisis, the number of people killed had risen to 17.
During the Christmas holidays, the protests subsided briefly, but with the beginning of the new year, thousands of people have once again taken to the streets in Peru and state repression has become more acute. 
On 9 January at least 18 people died, and dozens were injured during protests in the city of Juliaca.
From the beginning of the protests to date, official sources have reported the deaths of at least 40 people in the regions of Puno, Ayacucho, Apurimac, Cusco, Junin, La Libertad and Arequipa. It should be noted that most of the victims belong to rural and historically marginalized communities in Peru. 
Amnesty International has expressed concern about the excessive use of force used against protesters and made calls to ensure access to justice and remedies for victims. On 12 December, it issued a first press release condemning the deaths of two people. An urgent action was issued the following day calling for an immediate cease of violence against protesters. On 16 December, it issued a second press release calling for accountability for the deaths of at least 17 people. Finally, on 10 January, a third press release was issued following the events in Juliaca.
Amnesty International reminds the authorities that a protest does not lose its peaceful character because of sporadic acts or unlawful behaviour by individuals. Therefore, the respect, guarantee and protection of the human rights of those who demonstrate peacefully must not be diminished. State security forces should also prioritize the peaceful resolution of the situation and avoid using force in ways that contravene international standards.
PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: Spanish.
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: [7 March 2023] 
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: [Protesters in Peru] (They/them) 

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: Peru: Protesters killed and injured in violent crackdown - Amnesty International

Additional TARGET
Mr Juan Carlos Gamarra  
Embassy of Peru  
15 Buckingham Gate,
London SW1E 6LB  
postmaster@peruembassy-uk.com

Salutation: Your Excellency,