Peru/Japan: Japan must allow Fujimori to stand trial

The organisation is urging the Japanese authorities to either return Alberto Fujimori to Peru, where judicial proceedings have been started against him, or to open an investigation in Japan into his responsibility for the human rights violations committed under his presidency.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

'The Japanese government cannot and must not shy away from its obligation to co-operate in bringing Fujimori to justice.

'The widespread and systematic human rights violations committed in Peru during Fujimori's presidency, such as murders and 'disappearances', amount to crimes against humanity. All states are obliged to prosecute and punish anyone responsible for such crimes and to co-operate in their detection, arrest and punishment.'

Throughout Alberto Fujimori's ten-year presidency (1990-2000), torture and ill-treatment were widespread in Peru, and hundreds of people 'disappeared' or were extrajudicially executed. Members of Peru's armed forces, including Fujimori's intelligence adviser Vladimiro Montesinos and members of the 'Grupo Colina', a death squad attached to the intelligence services during Fujimori's presidency, are currently in detention facing charges including human rights violations. However, Alberto Fujimori has yet to be brought before a court.

Kate Allen said:

'Failing to bring Fujimori to justice can only lead to further human rights violations by showing that those responsible are not held to account.

'Japan must seize this opportunity to break the cycle of impunity. Relatives and victims need truth and justice.'

Background

Alberto Fujimori, has been in exile in Japan since fleeing Peru in November 2000. In September 2001 a judge of the Supreme Court of Justice of Peru ordered his detention on the basis that there is strong evidence suggesting that he had full knowledge of the existence of the 'Grupo Colina', the death squad attached to Peru's Intelligence Service, allegedly responsible for at least two cases of 'disappearances' and the political killings of 25 people.

Local Human Rights organisations, victims of human rights violations and their relatives have been calling on the Japanese authorities to return Fujimori to Peru to face trial.