Men and women of the press in Junín joined tribute to journalists fallen 42 years ago in Uchuracay, a fact that still marks impunity and lack of justice in Peru. The dean of the Junín-Huancavelica Council of the College of Journalists of Peru, Elizabeth Gómez Ramos, highlighted the importance of reminding the eight murdered journalists, whose death still remains without responsible, despite the passage of more than four decades.
“There are 42 years that we still do not find justice, but it leads us to reflection. As a community, as a society and as journalists, we must follow that example, in search of the truth ”, The Dean pointed out, who called on all journalists to act with social responsibility and commitment to objectivity.
In an interview with Correo, Elizabeth Gómez also stressed the critical situation of press freedom in the country, noting that it has been reduced by up to 50% and is mainly threatened by political and social intolerance. In their opinion, the main authorities have shown a growing hostility towards the media, especially in a context marked by research to politicians and insistence on social issues.
“The attitude of the same president (Dina Boluarte) towards journalists in condemnable, repudiable. Particularly it disappoints me a lot, I should have more openness, ”said the dean.
Memories that revive pain
The widow of the late journalist Jorge Sedano (one of the victims in Uchuraccay) was also invited to the ceremony. Alcira Velásquez Taipe Vda. of Sedano (84). She expressed her pain and frustration for lack of justice.
“It is not known until today who are the real culprits. They say they were the community members, but we did not accept that because we know the truth, ” denounced.
Sedano remembered her husband with emotion, who before leaving for Uchuraccay had announced her: “I’m going to die fighting, because I fight for the truth.”
“He was a man given to journalism, always in search of the truth, always worried about doing his job with ethics and responsibility. But 42 years later, justice still does not arrive ”, Mrs. Alcira added, who regretted the indifference of governments to this case.
“The institutions promised to do something, but never fulfilled,” He indicated with indignation
Injustice in the case of the “martyrs of Uchuracay” reflects that Peru is a country that, despite progress, still faces challenges about freedom of expression and security for journalists; also where justice is not guaranteed.
For the widow, the country’s situation is increasingly worrying:
“Terrorism has returned, but otherwise. Insecurity is terrible. There is no longer security in the streets, and crime kills for a cell phone. Justice does not exist “he said.
With 42 years of struggle in search of justice, both the College of Journalists of Peru, the federated center of journalists of Junín, the National Association of Filial Journalists Huancayo, the Association of Lockers and other men and women of the press joined the clamor of Justice for journalists who perished in their search for truth in the midst of a delicate situation for Peru.
“Society should not allow journalism to be silenced. We must continue fighting for the truth ”, Elizabeth Gómez ended.
The history of tragedy
The fact that marked the history of journalism in the country was on January 26, 1983, where journalists Félix Gavilán, Amador García, Jorge Sedano, Jorge Luis Mendivil, Octavio Infante, Pedro Sánchez, Willy Reto and Eduardo de la Piniella, Together with a local guide, they were killed in Uchuraccay, a community in the Sierra de Ayacucho.
According to some investigations, the journalists, who were in the area to report on the violence generated by the internal war between the government and the subversive groups, were arrested by the settlers, who, in a context of high voltage and misinformation, confused them With members of the Shining Path.
The responsibility of the killing fell to the community members. “Hopefully life reaches us, in order to see that justice was finally done for the eight journalists.”Jorge Sedano’s widow ended.
