Rally Against Ex-Peruvian Dictator Fujimori’s Possible Pardon

Activists and human rights organizations are rallying in Peru, to protest against a possible pardon being granted to the former President Alberto Fujimori.

The authoritarian leader, who ruled the country from 1990 to 2000, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2009 for homicide, aggravated kidnapping and crimes against humanity.

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In recent weeks, the Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski considered granting Fujimori a pardon.

Organizers of the march include many university students, and groups such as the National Human Rights Coordinator (CCDDHH) and the Keiko No va collective.

"It would be a betrayal. A betrayal of his word and his promise to the families of the victims of the dictatorship," said protest organizer Jorge Rodriguez.

Prior to the march, they had signed a memorandum of agreement with the Directorate General of the Interior to ensure that the march will be “peaceful” and will “not cause damage to public or private property”.

The protesting groups also had to agree to not walk with painted faces, in disguises of any kind, block traffic or use flammable or hard objects.

The rally is also due to hear speeches from the relatives of victims during his period in office.

In May, Fujimori's daughter, Keiko Fujimori‘s conservative Popular Force party, which holds a majority in Congress, shelved a bill drafted by independent congressman Roberto Vieira that would have permitted Fujimori and other convicts over 75 not charged with sex trafficking, terrorism or drug trafficking to serve the remainder of their sentences under house arrest.

“From the beginning (this bill) was crafted with one person in mind, and it was brought to a vote before Popular Force that, with sadness but with responsibility, resulted in a vote against (the bill),” Keiko told Expreso. “We will not pass laws written to favor one individual because it’s unconstitutional.”

Last month the former dictator was rushed into emergency care at a Clinic in Lima after experiencing a tachycardia, a heart rhythm disorder. 

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During his rule, Fujimori committed crimes such as the forced sterilization of Indigenous women, the endorsement of death squads and the kidnappings of opponents as well as leftists leaders.

Despite this, a May Ipsos poll found that 59 percent of Peruvians back a humanitarian pardon for Fujimori.

In an interview with local broadcaster RPP on Friday, Kuczynski said his decision would be based strictly on a medical review that should be completed by the end of year. He said, "I'll follow the medical recommendation".