Human rights defender, Mr Segundo Jara Montejo, has received threats and harassment from a group of armed men at his home in Aucayacu, Alto Huallaga on 28 August 2009.

Further Information

Segundo Jara Montejo is the executive director of / Comisión de Derechos Humanos de Alto Huallaga –The Human Rights Commission of Alto Huallaga (CODHAH) and a member of the National Commission for Human Rights. Segundo Jara works to expose human rights violations in Peru, including crimes committed by the Maoist guerrilla group, the Shining Path, in the area of Alto Huallaga. Front Line has previously issued appeals concerning threats that Segundo Jara had received from the Shining Path in September 2006 and January 2005.

On 28 August 2009, at approximately 10.00 pm, six unidentified men came to Segundo Jara's home and asked his wife, in a threatening manner, as to the whereabouts of her husband. Segundo Jara's wife felt frightened by the men's manner and closed the front door while her husband called the police. The men then waited outside the house for twenty minutes until the police arrived causing them to flee in a car and on a motorbike. The men had previously questioned neighbours about Segundo Jara's address and activities. Front Line has received unconfirmed reports that this may have been an attempt on Segundo Jara's life.

Segundo Jara has filed a complaint with the Aucayacu Provincial Prosecutor to ask that appropriate investigations are carried out. He has also requested that the Attorney General the necessary protection in order to safeguard himself and his family.

Front Line is concerned that the attempted assault against Segundo Jara Montejo is directly related to his work as a human rights defender, particularly his work against the Shining Path group. Front Line fears that this act of aggression is part of a larger pattern of intimidation of activists by guerrilla groups in the Alto Huallaga region. Front Line fears for the physical and psychological integrity of Segundo Jara Montejo and his family.

Front Line urges the authorities in Peru to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation intothe death threats Segundo Jara Montejo has received, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2. Guarantee the security and physical and psychological integrity of Segundo Jara Montejo;

3. Ensure that all human rights defenders in Peru, carrying out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, are able to operate free of restrictions and reprisals.