International Emergency Committee to Defend the Life of Dr. Abimael Guzmán IEC-US, 2912 Diamond St #302 San Francisco, CA 94131 415-252-5786 / fax: 415-252-7414

Update: Revolutionary Prisoners at Yanamayo, Peru
IEC-US Mobilizes, Forwards Hundreds of Letters & Petition Signatures

May 17, 2000

Yanamayo Prison, southern Peru IEC-London: Yanamayo Prison Rebellion (Feb 15, 2000) Statement from Prisoners who Rebelled at Yanamayo (Dated Feb 7, Posted Feb 23) Summary of November 1999 urgent demands issued by political prisoners at Yanamayo prison. Complete November 1999 demands of the political prisoners. Petition in support of the Nov 99 demands. Also includes this article. (Acrobat Reader Required)

In the aftermath of the recent prison uprisings, we’ve heard from relatives of the political prisoners. They report that the prisoners’ key demands have not been met: that Chairman Gonzalo be presented in public; that his isolation be ended; that the concentration camps of Yanamayo, Callapalca and the Naval Base be shut down. But we understand that as a result of their recent struggles, the Yanamayo prisoners may have won certain concessions such as direct contact visits, and visits by family members other than immediate relatives. We also have heard that prison visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross have been resumed, at least in part.

The IEC and CSRP will strive to keep you informed of new developments in this situation. At the time of these prison uprisings, it was urgent that people immediately take action to demand respect for the lives of these prisoners. We are glad to report that many people from many countries quickly sent letters of support, which were delivered to the Peruvian authorities and press. But there is still a need to keep such letters coming in – and for people around the world to continue to express your support (through letters and other ways) for the just demands of Peru’s political prisoners and prisoners of war.

In the years since the Fujimori regime’s “anti-terrorism” decrees were enacted, Peru’s dungeons have filled to overflow with political prisoners. Today over 4000 political prisoners remain behind those bars on charges of “terrorism” and “treason.” PCP Chairman Gonzalo (Abimael Guzman) is serving a life sentence at the El Callao Naval Base in Lima under conditions of isolation that are illegal under international law. All these thousands of prisoners suffer brutal conditions. They are robbed of all due process, tortured, starved, and frozen. Yet despite everything these are revolutionary fighters who maintain their vision and spirit. They are not broken, and they continue to resist and they continue to struggle against injustice. They deserve our strong support. é

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