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General Colin L. Powell
Secretary-of-State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20520

Dear General Powell:

I am writing to express my concern over the continued wrongful imprisonment of Lori Berenson in Peru. In April 2002, the OAS' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights vindicated Lori, stating "The violations of the human rights of Ms. Berenson in the military trial were not cured with the second trial" and "Her conviction in the second trial is so unsupported by facts that it constitutes a violation of the right to a fair trial." The Inter-American Commission told Peru it must totally restore Lori's rights and that its antiterrorism laws, including those governing civilian trials, do not meet international standards of due process and fairness and must be overhauled. Because Peru declined to heed the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission, Lori's case is now at the OAS' Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

In January 2003, Peru struck down the antiterrorism laws governing secret military trials for civilians. However, in defiance of the Inter-American Commission and previous Inter-American Court rulings, it failed to overhaul the legislation under which Lori was tried in civilian court.

I know that you have spoken with Peruvian officials on Lori's behalf and I believe that you would want her to be home and safe with her family. It is both disappointing and incomprehensible that, given the new democratic government in Peru, a U.S. citizen is so wrongfully treated.

Peru is anxious to keep its good relations with the United States and is also interested in securing a major bilateral trade agreement. Peru must not be permitted to think that its continued wrongful treatment of a U.S. citizen will be acceptable to our government.

Lori has spent over seven years in Peruvian jails. Please help secure her release now so that she need not suffer further.

Sincerely,

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Name: _________________________________

Address: _________________________________

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