Information regarding the activities of the Shining Path and the Peasant Patrols in Huasahuasi was scarce. Nevertheless, sources report an incident occurring on 21 May 1991 when Shining Path rebels entered Huasahuasi and "forced villagers into the central square to witness the trial and execution of residents accused of collaborating with the government" (Washington Post 30 May 2002; The Times 1 June 2002; Catholic Mission Aid n.d.). According to the Catholic Mission Aid Website, the Shining Path conducted a "sham trial" of four local men and an Australian nun named Irene McCormack (ibid. n.d.). Apparently, the Shining Path accused McCormack of "propping up the state by giving food to the poor and delaying the revolution" (Washington Post 30 May 2002). After the accusations were made, all five were forced to lie down on the ground Shining Path members shot each of them in the head (Catholic Mission Aid n.d.).

With regard to the Peasant Patrols, a report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission stated that among the four men executed by the Shining Path in Huasahuasi on 21 May 1991 was Pedro Pando Llanos, the local President of the Peasant Patrols (22 May 2002). For more information about the Rondas Campesinas, please refer to the attached Inter Press Service (IPS) article of 8 December 1998.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Catholic Mission Aid. n.d. "Mission Martyrs." http://www.catholicmission.org.au/peo-missio.htm [Accessed 13 Jan. 2003]

Comision de la Verdad y Reconciliacion. 22 May 2002. "Audiencia Publica en la ciudad de Huancayo." http://www.cverdad.org.pe/sumillashuancayo.html [Accessed 13 Jan. 2003]

The Times [London]. 1 June 2002. Gabriella Gamini. "Victims Reveal Untold Horrors to Peru's Truth Commission." (NEXIS)

Washington Post. 30 May 2002. Lucien Chauvin. "Peru Goes Public on 20 Years of Guerrilla and Army Violence." http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A29837-2002May29?language=printer [Accessed 13 Jan. 2003]

Attachment

Inter Press Service (IPS). 8 December 1998. Abraham Lama. "Politics-Peru: What to Do With Paramilitary Groups." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

World News Connection (WNC)

Internet sites:

Amnesty International (AI)

Country Reports

El Comercio [Lima]

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Search engine:

Google