We have received this letter from the Committee of Struggle of the students of Cantuta University, Chosica, Peru. We appeal to our readers internationally, and particularly to those who are members of student organisations and trade unions, to send messages condemning repression and expressing solidarity with the students.
To the Peruvian people and the students of "Enrique Guzman y Valle" National University, we make the following statement in relation to the recent events:
I. We reject the fraudulent election of Rector Mr Tutuy, who on his first day in office, May 25th, at approximately 11 a.m., used repressive measures in response to the dialogue proposed by the students. Tear gas and rubber bullets were used, causing injury to a number of students and provoking indignation among the entire university community. Later Mr Tutuy tried to make his escape, during which he tried to run over students who were gathered at the university entrance in his car.
II. Unidentified delinquents, numbering around 50, tried to force their way into the university on 26th May at around 5 a.m., causing damage to the university and attacking students with sticks, chains, metal bars, belts and stones as the students stood guard at the university entrance. The students somehow found the strength to detain two of these vandals with the help of students who began to arrive at the university. These two individuals confessed to the newspapers to having been contracted to carry out this attack by Juan Jimenez, a member of the "Tercio Estudiantil", and by the Rector, Mr Tutuy Aspauza.
III.
The break-in and assaults that these criminals
committed against the students resulted in the damage to the university's
infrastructure, and students received injuries from the weapons used. A number
of students were hospitalised, including Cain Castro Pari, who suffered an
injury to his forearm, and Rocio Condori who, along with others suffered
ill-treatment and humiliation.
IV.
We reject any attempt to criminalise our struggles,
which are just. We are protesting about corruption, the expulsion of students,
manipulation, and the physical assaults of which we were the victims. We refuse
to be branded as ‘loyal followers' of any political party. We are independent
students defending our rights. We also reject declarations made to the media by
Mr Tutuy such as "30 terrorist seized the university", which distort the real
meaning of our struggle.
V. We reiterate in our Platform of Struggle:
1. No to the expulsion or repression of students. No to administrative nor any other form of reprisals against students.
2. Universal, free and fair election of university authorities.
3. An increase in meals allowance for all students.
4. Immediate issue of free Student Passes for all new students.
5. Improvement of the university transport service.
6. A library for every faculty, and the reconstruction and specialisation of the Central Library.
7. Reconstruction of the men's halls of residence.
For universal voting rights!
Down with Tutuy's thuggish corruption!
No expulsions or repression of students!
Defend state university education!
Please send solidarity messages to the Committee of Struggle at cefechs@yahoo.com
Please also send a copy to perumilitante@yahoo.es
We also request you send at copy of the solidarity message to the university at redes@une.edu.pe