For the right to freedom of thought in Peru and Latin America
The members of CLACSO Working Group The State as a contradictionWe express our total rejection of the accusations and sabotage unleashed in Peru against the academic and political work of our colleague Anahí Durand, former Minister of Women of this Andean country, teacher and researcher at the National University of San Marcos.
As part of her extensive research career, Anahí published her latest book, "Estallido en los Andes" (Outbreak in the Andes), last November. Published by CLACSO, it offers a pertinent analysis of the most significant popular mobilization in Peru in recent decades, which erupted in December 2022 following the coup against then-President Pedro Castillo. This academic work has been exploited by the right-wing Peruvian newspaper Perú21, part of the El Comercio media group, to distort the analysis and, using arguments devoid of academic rigor, promote accusations of "glorifying violence"—a tactic typical of authoritarian regimes like the one established in Peru last year, where the press, controlled by large economic groups, aligns itself with the established power.
Added to the above is the undemocratic position of the rector of the National University of San Marcos, headed by Jeri Gloria Ramón Ruffner de Vega, who prevented the presentation of Anahí's book at the educational institution on January 18, arguing that the event put the facilities at risk.
The actions of the University and the accusations of the press are a direct attack on fundamental rights such as freedom of teaching, expression and thought, as well as critical academic practice; worse still, they put the life and freedom of our colleague at risk, while the newspaper Perú21 bases its precarious analysis of “apology for violence and the coup d'état” on a retired police general, former head of the Directorate Against Terrorism (Dircote) to formulate biased accusations that link events with little relation to the presentation of the book.
As an academic working group, we stand in solidarity with Anahí Durand, who has been linked to our working group for more than a decade. We warn about the increase in authoritarianism in Peru and other countries in the region such as Argentina and Ecuador, and we call on entities such as the Ombudsman's Office of Peru, responsible for ensuring respect for human rights, to speak out and take the necessary measures to prevent further violations in this case.
January 30, 2024
CLACSO Working Group
The State as a contradiction
This text expresses the position of the aforementioned Working Group and not necessarily that of the centers and institutions that make up the CLACSO international network, its Steering Committee or its Executive Secretariat.
