Court starts proceedings against Alberto Fujimori on Peru’s Sterilization case

Lima, March 6 (AFP/APP): The start of court proceedings against Peru’s former president Alberto Fujimori for a program blamed for forcibly sterilizing thousands of poor, mostly indigenous women has generated hope among victims that justice will finally be served.

“We’ve been waiting more than 20 years for justice. I want them to recognize us, to apologize to all the women” threatened or coerced into being sterilized, Gloria Basilio Huaman told AFP.

She said authorities tricked her into getting her fallopian tubes tied when she was 27, as part of a family planning program implemented by Fujimori during the final four years of his mandate. It was supposed to be a voluntary program but women who were targeted say the reality was very different. On Monday, a judge opened proceedings against Fujimori, 82, who was president from 1990-2000. An estimated 270,000 Peruvians were subjected to the controversial procedure.

“I’m asking authorities to give us justice. We’re Peruvians, I know we’re economically humble, but not poor,” said Basilio, now 48. Like thousands of women targeted by the program that aimed to reduce birthrates to promote economic development, Basilio speaks Quechua, an indigenous language.