Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-ir) -- Members of Amnesty International across the world have sent letters to Peruvian authorities demanding the protection of Gloria Cano, the lawyer representing the families of the victims in the human rights violations case against Alberto Fujimori.

"The death threats being made against Gloria Cano could jeopardize one of the most important trials in the history of Peru," said Giulia Tamayo, a trial observer appointed by Amnesty International.

"We demand that Peruvian authorities urgently investigate the death threats and establish a protection plan for all of the lawyers involved in the process," stated Tamayo.

According to information received by Amnesty International, APRODEH, a Peruvian human rights association, received and anonymous phone call on December 18 in which a person said, "We are going to kill you because you are terrorists, Gloria Cano, we are going to kill her because she is a terrorist." Other insults and threats were reported by the organization.

Giulia Tamayo, a Spanish/Peruvian human rights lawyer has been observing the case against Alberto Fujimori since December 26.

"Amnesty International has been observing Fujimori's trial because it is a historic event for a country and region that has seen thousands of human rights violations like torture, disappearances and murder committed with impunity," said Tamayo.

"We are here to make sure the accused receives a fair trial and that victims receive the justice they have been waiting for, for decades."