The Peruvian authorities should carry out a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the killing of five civilians during violent protests against mining activities in the Cajamarca region, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should also investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of an environmental activist, Marco Arana, and his treatment in detention.

Three civilians died from gunshot wounds on July 3, 2012, in the city of Celendín during a confrontation between protesters and police and army units outside the city hall. More than 30 other civilians were injured, several of them reportedly with bullet wounds, according to local hospital officials. The government declared a state of emergency in three of Cajamarca department’s provinces.

José Miguel Vivanco Americas director at Human Rights Watch said that “The state has a responsibility to protect people from violence and to prosecute any protesters who used it. But even if law enforcement was responding to violence, any use of lethal force needs to be thoroughly investigated to determine whether police or soldiers acted lawfully.”

For several months there have been strikes and protests in Cajamarca against a large open cast gold mine. The media reported that the violence on July 3 began when a group of construction workers were protesting non-payment of wages for a school building project. Those who died on July 3 Faustino Silva Sánchez, José Eleuterio García Rojas, and César Medina Aguilar, a 17 year old high school student appear to have been shot after army units moved in to help the police. Another civilian, José Antonio Sánchez, who was gravely injured by a bullet wound in the throat, died in a hospital on July 5.

Joselito Vásquez Jambo was killed on July 4 during a clash between demonstrators and police in the town of Bambamarca in circumstances that remain unclear.

The Interior Ministry said in a public statement that two policemen guarding the town hall in Celendín had been hit in the legs with bullets fired by demonstrators trying to force their way into the building, and blamed leaders of the protests for the violence. Three soldiers were also seriously injured, the ministry said.

Source - www.hrw.org

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