Mutual Aid for Victims of Peruvian State Violence

We are a collective composed of Human Rights organizers, community-based researchers and activists on the ground in Peru soliciting funds to directly support the victims of anti-Indigenous and campesino State repression in Peru. We are part of two main organizations, Derechos Humanos Sin Fronteras, with Rut Pérez Saldarriaga as pointperson, a toxicologist and environmentalist and Derechos Humanos y Medio Ambiente de Puno. The latter is a human and environmental rights organization working in the city of Puno in the southern region providing resources for families

On January 9th, the Peruvian national police carried out a massacre in the southern Andean town of Juliaca. As of January 19th, the death toll stands at 20 people killed with hundreds injured.

Most of the victims were young adults and some even teenagers, like Elmer Zolano Leonardo Huanca, a 16 year old aspiring futbol player; and Yamileth Aroquipa Hancco, a 17 year old in her first year of university. While the official death count stands at 53 people (as of Jan 20) across Peru, unofficial reports from Ayacucho, Puno and other Andean regions say the number could be in the hundreds.

The office of the Attorney General in the country has opened an investigation on grounds for genocide given that the victims are of Indigenous Quechua and Aymara backgrounds, the historically marginalized communities of Peru.

The wanton use of violence and dehumanization in the capital’s press is a reflection of a longstanding anti-Indigenous sentiment in the country that is sustained by what is referred to as terruqueo in Peru, a term used to delegitimize and demonize protestors as terrorists whenever they demand their rights from the state.

Indigenous Quechua and Aymara communities rely on deep social and communal bonds, working collectively to remedy and address social issues. At this time, the communities in the south of Peru are reeling, unable to properly mourn their dead as they continue to face open harassment, intimidation and death at the hands of police forces. With an indifferent national attuite, these communities are left on their own, treated as second-class citizens while they await justice.

This campaign will provide periodic updates, profile some community members, share photos, videos and more. Any funds beyond our current goal will roll over into supporting other victims of State violence such as environmental protectors in addition to mutual aid projects to support resources for human rights and environmental protectors across the country.