Peru has cleared the government of former president Alberto Fujimori of running a campaign of forced sterilisation in the 1990s. The prosecution service concluded there was not enough evidence to suggest that the policy was systematic.
Human rights groups have condemned the decision as an example of impunity and vowed to fight on. It certainly surprises me, as everything I've read suggests that indigenous women were persuaded, tricked, bribed, intimidated or forced into sterilisation during the Fujimori government. In one specific case, the woman died, and complaints against five health workers involved in her treatment were upheld. An article in El País suggests that around 17 other deaths occurred following the procedures.
Forced sterilisation of a particular ethnic group is potentially genocide, but the prosecution service claims that there was no crime against humanity - despite acknowledgements of "pressure" and evidence that Fujimori was aware of the sterilisation programme.
Peru closes forced sterilisation probe and clears ex-President Alberto Fujimori (BBC)
Perú cierra el caso de las esterilizaciones forzadas de Fujimori (El País)
Peru: Victims of forced sterilizations push for further investigation against Fujimori (Peru this week)
Government documents show that Fujimori knew about forced sterilizations (Peru this week) Colectivo de mujeres apelará dictamen de esterilizaciones (La Republica)
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