Urge new Peru trial for Berenson

[Chris Burford <cburford@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Mike,

I tracked this down on the apc networks.
Although it doesn't say here, my recollection of previous
information was that her name was associated in a very loose
way with MRTA, not with the PCP (SL)

Chris B, London.



_____________________________________________________

/* Written  1:12 PM  Feb 28, 1996 by igc:cispesnatl in gn:hr.americas */
/* ---------- "Urge new Peru trial for Berenson" ---------- */
From: CISPES Committee In Solidarity With The People Of El
Salvador Re: Lori Berenson Needs New Trial and your support!

cispesnatl@xxxxxxxxxxx; Tel: 212 229-1290; Fax: 212 645-6657; 19
W. 21 St NY, NY 10010

ACTION ALERT! ACTION ALERT!

CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REP. TO SIGN LETTER TO PERU CALLING FOR A
FAIR TRIAL FOR LORI BERENSON; SEND LORI YOUR OWN LETTERS IN
SOLIDARITY

Lori Berenson continues to sit in a cold Yanamayo prison, the
harshest jail in Latin America.  An appeal to the military court
sentence of life in prison, was rejected this month.  In Peru's
military court system, Lori, like thousands of jailed Peruvians,
was unable to see the face of her accusers and was not permitted
to present evidence or have her attorney present any defense.

Lori's could still get a fair trial if Peru's President, Alberto
Fujimori, allowed her to present her defense in an open civilian
court.

Lori's Congressional Representaive, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), is
circulating a "Dear Colleague" in Congress to President Fujimori.
Ask your Representative to add their name to the list of signers
by calling Mark Stevenson in Maloney's Capitol Hill office at
225-7944.  The letter is only scheduled to circualte unitil March
1, so make the call today.  The text and signers to date follow as
well as information on how you can write to Lori in Spanish at
Yanamayo Prison to let her know that she has support.

********************************** Text of Dear Colleague

Dear President Fujimori,

We are writing with respect to Lori Berenson, a 26 year old
American woman, who was sentenced to life in prison by a Peruvian
military court on treason charges.  The sentence was life, even
though the maximum sentence requested by Peruvian prosecutors was
30 years.  During her trial, Lori was not given an opportunity to
call or cross examine witnesses, or to present exculpatory
evidence.  Lori has appealed the judgement against her.  Although
her initial appeal was rejected by a military court, we understand
that there is still a possibility for another appeal to a civilian
court.

We believe that it is legally impossible for an American citizen
to commit treason against a foreign government.  Additionaly, we
beleive that it is inappropriate for a civilian to be tried in a
military court.  Accordingly, we urge you to ensure that Lori is
offered a chance to present her defense in a civilian court as
quickly as possible.

The Peruvian Government has made numerous promises to the
international community to reform its anti-terrorist and treason
courts to bring them in line with international covenants which
Peru has signed.  We urge your government to implement the reforms
it has already pledged to make as soon as possible.

Lori should have a chance to tell her side of the story, to have
her attorney cross examine witnesses and to present evidence that
may substantiate her claims of innocence.  We understand that the
Peruvian Government is working to restore stability to a country
that has been plagued by terrorism.  If Lori is guilty of
terrorism, she should be subject to a sentence that befits the
crime.  Until she has had an opportunity to present her defense in
an open civilian court, however, her conviction will not stand up
to public scrutiny.  We therefore respeectfully urge the Peruvian
Governmnet to give Lori a fair hearing.

Thank you for your serious consideration of this important
matter.

Sincerely Victor Frazer (VI) Maurice Hinchey (NY) Carolyn Maloney
(NJ) Martin Meehan (MA) David Minge (MN) Marcy Kaptur (OH) Connie
Morella (MD) Nydia Velazquez (NY) Nancy Pelosi (CA) Ed Markey (MA)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA) Ronald Dellums (CA) Jerry Nadler (NY)
Melvin Watt (NC) Robert Torricelli (NJ) Michael Bilirakis (FL)
John Olver (MA) Michael Doyle (PA) John Moakley (MA) James
Traficant (OH)

The above list of signers is as of 2/14 - more representatives may
be on board.  Call your Rep. today if they are not on this list.
If they tell you that they have signed the letter already, thank
them.

******************* Write a letter to Lori Berenson:

Lori Berenson, a longtime companera of the  El Salvador Solidarity
movement has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a Peruvian
Prison.  In a trial by a faceless judge in which no justice was
permitted she was charged with treason, even though she is not a
Peruvian citizen but rather a United States citizen.  Lori is 26
years old and has been working in Latin American solidarity work
since 1988.  Before that she volunteered in New York City projects
aiding the poor.   She cannot receive visits from her family for
one year.

Letters are a prisoners only link to the outside world.  Writings
of political prisoners often thank all the people who have written
to them.  Lori may not be able to return your letter, but it is
important that you write to her periodically.

At this time letters must be in Spanish so that they can be read
by the guards.  Assume that they will be read.  They cannot be of
a politically inflammatory or propagandistic nature.  Lori now has
some privileges within the prison but they could be revoked if she
is sent something that the prison considers subversive, without
her receiving it or even knowing about it.  If your written
Spanish is limited, then send a message, as best you can.  If you
cannot write in Spanish, get help or send a visual message and
just sign your name.

Write soon and write again.  Our messages will help her spirit
with human contact. Her address is :  Lori Berenson Yanamayo
Prision Puno, Peru


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