Peru

Abstract

This article is a case study of a country whose President rules through the military, and where a radio station is a vital element in the struggle for human rights. The Institute for Legal Defence (IDEELE) is an organization that offers legal advice to the victims of human rights violations, and the families of those extra-judicially executed. IDEELE also publishes a human rights magazine and coordinates a network of radio programmes. It provides ‘packages’ to more than 60 different regional outlets, covering both international news items and items of immediate concern. It also offers extensive training programmes to those working on human rights issues in the community media and to local officials of relevant organizations. Its two main radio series, ‘You and Your Rights’ and ‘The Power to Choose’ follow the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the country’s own constitution in promoting free and fair voting.