According to an official at the Embassy of
the Republic of Peru in Ottawa, the National Counterterrorism
Directorate (DINCOTE) is a division of the Civil Guard, which in
turn is one of three departments within Peru's national police
force (1 June 1994). The organization has been actively involved in
countering the Shining Path (BBC Summary 16 May 1994; ibid. 12 May
1994; ibid. 9 May 1994; Reuters 28 Apr. 1994). In January 1993 the
organization was headed by General Carlos Dominguez Solis (Notisur
26 Jan. 1993).
The official at the embassy in Ottawa
stated that resignation procedures and penalties for deserting from
DINCOTE are the same as those that apply to all Peruvian police
forces (1 June 1994). However, the official added that being an
anti-terrorist unit, members of DINCOTE are subject to certain
operational procedures which are unique to the force (ibid.).
For specific information concerning the
penalties for desertion from Peruvian police forces and the
possibility of resignation, please refer to Responses to
Information Requests PER13707 of 26 March 1993 and PER13464 of 22
March 1993 both available at your Regional Documentation
Centre.
For additional information on DINCOTE's
activities, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 16 May
1994. "Lima Bomb Attacks Lead to Fears of Shining Path Action to
Mark Anniversary." (NEXIS)
_____. 12 May 1994. "MRTA Leader
Villalobos Interviewed in Prison." (NEXIS)
_____. 9 May 1994. "Counterterrorism
Directorate Captures 'Important' MRTA Leader, Seizes Weapons."
(NEXIS)
Embassy of the Republic of Peru, Ottawa.
1 June 1994. Telephone interview with official.
Reuters. 28 April 1994. "Freed
Evangelist Says He was Tortured, Denied Defense." (NEXIS)
Notisur. 26 January 1993. "Peru:
Congress Begins Operations." (NEXIS)
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 16 May
1994. "Lima Bomb Attacks Lead to Fears of Shining Path Action to
Mark Anniversary." (NEXIS)
_____. 12 May 1994. "MRTA Leader
Villalobos Interviewed in Prison." (NEXIS)
_____. 9 May 1994. "Counterterrorism
Directorate Captures 'Important' MRTA Leader, Seizes Weapons."
(NEXIS)
_____. 30 March 1994. "Government Asks
for Peru's Help to Fight Terrorism." (NEXIS)
_____. 16 March 1994. "Security Forces
Dismantle MRTA Communications Centre in North of Country."
(NEXIS)
_____. 14 March 1994. "Shining Path
Reportedly Trying to Reorganize and Gain Strength in Lima."
(NEXIS)
Nortisur. 26 January 1993. "Peru:
Congress Begins Operations." (NEXIS)
World Encyclopedia of Police Forces
and Penal Systems. 1989. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New
York: Facts on File, pp. 309-11.
Reuters. 28 April 1994. BC Cycle. "Freed
Evangelist Says He Was Tortured, Denied Defense." (NEXIS)
_____. 17 March 1994. "Italian Among
Alleged Guerrillas Displayed." (NEXIS)
Security Management. January
1993. Dan W. Hammack. "Understanding the Path of Terrorism; Shining
Path Terrorist Group." (NEXIS)