CONFIDENTIAL
PERU
Report by HM Embassy, Lima
General Observations
There are two general points to make. One is that things are generally better now than under President Velasco. The second point is that although a State of Emergency exists (under which civil rights such as the inviolability of domicile, prohibition of arrest without warrant and detention without trial, and the right to enter or leave the country have been suspended) and is likely to continue for some time, we believe that the Government wishes to limit the security measures to those which it considers really necessary to maintain law and order and to counter subversion.
Right No.
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We estimate that up to 500 people are currently detained without trial, or 1 in 30,000 of the population.
there
has been an increase in the numbers since the State of Emergency was declared in July 1976; but the situation is better than in President Velasco's time.
Rating suggested by Post
There is no evidence that the Government has resorted to torture; but the police are not averse to the occasional beating up.
Slavery in Peru was abolished in the 19th century, and there is no evidence of its existence now.
There are no legal restrictions on the freedom of speech. However, the Government does exercise considerable control over the press, television and radio. A11 independent political papers and several private provincial radio stations have been closed down by the Government since July, but there are prospects that these restrictions will be relaxed soon.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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During