More than 150 journalists attacked in Peru, often by Police, while covering protests

The National Association of Peruvian Journalists (ANP) reported on Friday (Feb. 3) that 153 journalists were attacked while covering the anti-government protests that began on Dec. 7 last year, mainly in Lima, and stressed that police officers committed the most frequent attacks.

The ANP’s Human Rights Office data show that attacks on journalists totaled 94 in January, revealing that “the highest number was concentrated in Lima and that the most frequent attackers were police officers.”

The association pointed out that among the most severe incidents was the “death threat by police agents against photojournalist Aldair Mejía, of the EFE Agency, in Juliaca (Puno department) on Jan. 7.”

“In this case, hours later, the photojournalist was hit by a rubber bullet shot in the right leg, causing a bone fracture,” according to the first medical report.

It also highlighted the detention of four journalists from the southern region of Puno during a police operation at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, who were released 30 hours later, and the aggression against the journalistic team of the “Wayka. pe” portal, who “was not only physically assaulted by police officers, but also deprived of their work equipment.”

In addition, the ANP highlighted the “hostile aggression” to which a team of journalists from “América Televisión” was subjected when “vandals boarded” their vehicle, throwing stones and causing one of them to lose two teeth.

The ANP office pointed out that on Jan. 19, when the so-called “Takeover of Lima” was called, the highest number of attacks on journalists in a single day was recorded, with 19 attacks.

“This number surpasses the record of 16 attacks that occurred on Nov. 10, 2020, in the context of protests in defense of democracy,” it said.

The association reaffirmed its vigilant role in recording attacks on media professionals and activating, with the public and civil society organizations, measures for prevention, defense, and action in the face of these events.