The photos speak for themselves. They show a real - not symbolic - village court in an Andean village, about 10 hours by bus from Cusco. The young man was caught stealing. As punishment, he will have to waddle, half naked and covered with a sign saying "I am a thief from the village of Vista Alegre" make the rounds several times, the villagers over, who have formed a circle. The "chief justice" asks if anyone could say anything in favor of the accused. A cousin of the young boy speaks out. Then consults an elder board. The most likely is, so I told my local companion, the boy would be flogged as punishment.
vigilante justice or indigenous justice is a major issue in Peru. Since the judicial authorities in all the villages are not accessible, or else be accused of corruption, many people resort to vigilante justice in the Andes. It may also lead to murder - as it was in the small town Ilave 5 years ago the case. For human rights groups is the self-justice is a difficult issue, especially when the cultural element at play: the right to cultural autonomy strikes the right to physical integrity.
0 comments:
Post a Comment