Prison Radio Broadcasts
Higher Quality Audio files available info@prisonradio.org
Copyright 2006 Berenson/Prison Radio
Lori Berenson's radio essays
from Cajamarca Peru
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Committee to Free Lori Berenson
320 E 25th St #2AA • New York NY 10010
(212) 689-3868 • www.FreeLori.org
March 23, 2006
Contact: Mark & Rhoda Berenson
212-689-3868
Lori Berenson’s Commentary on Peruvian Presidential Elections
Audio recording of a statement from Berenson available for broadcast in English & Spanish
Lori Berenson released her third commentary from prison in Peru, addressing the upcoming Peruvian presidential elections:
“In Peru, a country with less than 30 million in population, there are 24 presidential candidates. Among the few that have any chance of winning, the majority represent the right wing. But more than any particular candidate, what is really winning in the polls is indecision and a lack of faith in the political electoral system in general. One wonders if any of these 24 candidates could make Peru a more livable place for its citizens.”
There is concern that the United States is interfering in the Peruvian election through their ties with groups that are denouncing Ollanta Humala, a maverick candidate who was recently in the lead. http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/227/1/ Lori raises similar concerns about the influence that the US and other bodies assert over independent nations:
“In Latin America, over the last few years, moderate, progressive and nationalist candidates have come to power through elections. This seems to indicate that voters mark their ballots against the social and economic neo-liberal models. However, once in power, how much can a government do when any just measures would be contrary to the mandates of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the White House.”
In 1996, Berenson, then 26, was convicted of treason and sentenced to life in prison in a secret proceeding by hooded military officers. After serving almost five years in harsh conditions, the Peruvian Supreme Military Council annulled that conviction on the grounds of insufficient evidence. At that time, President Fujimori’s spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, said that Peru would provide her a civilian trial and sentence her to 20 years in prison. In 2001, Berenson was convicted of collaborating with the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA), a Marxist rebel group in Peru, and sentenced to 20 years. Berenson maintains her innocence.
Berenson is one of many political prisoners, such as Nelson Mandela and Aung San Si Kyi, wrongfully incarcerated for her political beliefs and the courage to stand up for them. There are many political prisoners who will remain nameless until we hear their voices.
Berenson is currently held outside of Cajamarca, Peru, in a small prison made of concrete and metal. There is no glass in the window openings, the bed is a concrete platform, there is a hole in the floor for a toilet, cold water is available twice each day, and the cell is 5’ by 10’. Berenson keeps herself engaged in the world by reading and writing, and stays physically active by knitting, pacing the concrete yard and working in the prison bakery.
A recording of Lori’s words are available at: www.FreeLori.org
This is the third in what is planned to be a regular series of recordings.
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