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May 25, 2010 Update: Lori Berenson granted parole! Story with links at onthewilderside: here.
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From a May 6, 2009 update from Lori Berenson’s parents. Lori Berenson is still a political prisoner in Peru. Action items at the bottom of the post.
To Friends and Supporters of Lori Berenson:
Lori Has Baby Boy
Despite the odds she faced owing to compromised health after 13.5 years of incarceration in harsh Peruvian prison environments, Lori gave birth Wednesday morning May 6th in Lima. Salvador Anesporí Apari Berenson was delivered via Caesarian-section due to Lori’s precarious back condition that will require delicate spinal surgery to prevent permanent nerve damage. Surgery will be scheduled after she recovers from childbirth.
Salvador’s father, Aníbal Apari Sanchez is a lawyer in Lima. Lori and Aníbal were married in October 2003.
Salvador will enjoy dual US and Peruvian citizenship. Peruvian law permits a child to be raised in a prison by the mother until age three. Lori is eligible for conditional liberty (“parole”) in November 2010, when Salvador will be 18 months old.
Although the prison cell is small and stark, Lori and Salvador have everything they need. Lori would very much welcome your kind thoughts in cards or letters, but asks – PLEASE, NO GIFTS – she simply has no room.
Former Peru President Fujimori Found Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity
Last month, former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, the man who arrested and used Lori for his own political gains, was convicted of crimes against humanity and given a 25-year sentence. Isn’t it ironic that a man who was convicted for at least 25 murders and two kidnappings was sentenced to 25 years when Lori was found guilty of minor involvement with a subversive group and acquitted of charges relating to militancy or violence and was given a 20-year sentence?
CALL TO ACTION:
Urge President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to Free Lori
Now that Salvador has arrived, Lori’s next hurdle will be delicate back surgery. There is extreme concern over the prospects for Lori having successful spinal surgery in Peru when post-surgical rehabilitation and physical therapy are so limited in the confines of stark prison facilities.
President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton must be reminded of Lori’s situation. Surely, in the interests of fairness and justice, the Obama administration must urge Peruvian President Alan Garcia to commute Lori’s sentence on humanitarian grounds for medical reasons and return her and her baby to the U.S.A.
The White House “Hot-line” is 202-456-1111 or the White House fax number is 202-456-2461. The brief message should be: “Enough is enough, President Obama should do all he can to bring Lori Berenson and her baby boy Salvador home.”
A similar short note can be sent to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton by mail (address: Department of State, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20510). The www.freelori.org website link http://www.freelori.org/sampleletters/statedept/index.html lists other talking points.
Thank you for your help.
Mark and Rhoda B.
Filed under: international politics, News, progressive politics, US Politics Tagged: | Lori Berenson, Peru, political prisoners
Ii is a shame that the strong minded female can and will find her life jepordized by her voice. Is this world we are living in for real. Sometimes the character of a strong willed women will find her in such a situation as Lori. If Lori had been older she might have considered the outcome of having socially unaccepted friends. I UNDERSTAND THE PREDICAMENT BETWEEN SAFETY AND NONCONFORMITY. I see no similarity between her case and Amanda Knox.