Extradition of Alberto Fujimori
Former President of Peru Charged with Human Rights Violations
Dec 31, 2007
In September of 2007, Alberto Fujimori, president of Peru from 1990 to 2000, was extradited. He has been implicated in several crimes, including the murder of a group of university students.
Fujimori’s Presidency
Fujimori was a long shot candidate voted into office at a time when Peru was in turmoil. The country was in an economic crisis, with incapacitating hyperinflation. The violence of leftist guerrilla groups Sendero Luminoso and the MRTA (Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement) would soon culminate in shocking tragedies like the murder of activist María Elena Moyano.
Over the course of his presidency, Fujimori took more and more authority. He even went so far as to stage a self-coup in which he replaced the congress. He instituted harsh neoliberal economic reforms (contrary to his campaign promises for moderation) and cracked down on leftist groups.
Notwithstanding harsh reforms and anti-democratic practices, Fujimori enjoyed widespread support. He was eventually able to stabilize the economy and capture Sendero Luminoso leader Abimael Guzmán. Fujimori received international praise for his handling of a hostage crisis at the Japanese embassy from the Clinton administration.
Scandals and Opposition to Fujimori
Fujimori inherited a unique situation in Peru. The country was fed up with traditional political parties and so did not pay much attention when those (discredited) parties decried Fujimori’s undemocratic practices. The guerrilla groups, particularly Sendero Luminoso, had become so violent that many former supporters turned against them and supported a strong military response.
It all changed drastically in 2000. Fujimori tried to win re-election by fraud. The electoral fraud received an unusual amount of international attention. But it was the tape of Fujimori’s most trusted aid, Vladimiro Montesinos, apparently bribing a congressman that finally ended his rule. Fujimori flew to Japan and faxed in his resignation.
As more information came out about the Fujimori administration, the charges against him grew. He has been accused of corruption, illegal wiretapping, and even murder – the murder charges stemming from activities of the Colina Group, an anti-terrorist squad charged with several atrocities.
Chile Extradites Fujimori
When Fujimori showed up in Chile, a country that does have an extradition treaty with Peru, the Peruvian government requested his extradition. Eventually, Fujimori was sent back to Peru to stand trial.
This is not the first time a former world leader has been extradited to stand trial for human rights abuses. However, according to a September 21st press release from Human Rights Watch, “this is the first time that a court has ordered the extradition of a former head of state to be tried for gross human rights violations in his home country.”
Sources
Cotler, Julio. “Comments on ‘Between Coca and Cocaine: A Century or More of U.S. – Peruvian Drug Paradoxes, 1860-1980.’” The Woodrow Wilson Center, 2001.
Human Rights Watch. “Chile: Supreme Court Extradites Fujimori.” 2007.
McFarland, Maria and Sebastian Brett. “Probable Cause: Evidence Implicating Fujimori.” Human Rights Watch, 2005.
Moyano, María Elena. The Autobiography of María Elena Moyano. ed. Diana Miloslavich Tupac, Translation by Patricia S. Taylor Edmisten. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2000.
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