OEA/Ser.G
CP/RES. 692 (1098/96)
18 December 1996
Original: Spanish

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

DISMAYED by the serious events that occurred on the night of December 17, 1996, at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan in Lima, Peru, and the situation generated there by the terrorist group Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) which took a number of people hostage, including Peruvian authorities and diplomatic officers from various countries;

REAFFIRMING that terrorist acts undermine the constitutional order, the rule of law, democratic institutions, and human rights;

REITERATING that terrorist acts and methods, regardless of their perpetrators or of how, why, or where they occur, are serious common crimes that can in no way be justified and merit the firmest possible condemnation and punishment, as established in the Declaration and Plan of Action of Lima to Prevent, Combat, and Eliminate Terrorism, signed by the member states in Lima, Peru, on April 26, 1996;

NOTING the firm statements of condemnation of the events that transpired in Lima and the show of solidarity by the international community with the peoples and Governments of Peru and Japan and other affected countries; and

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the communique issued today by the Rio Group and other member countries,

RESOLVES:

1. To express its strongest possible condemnation and absolute repudiation of the criminal act perpetrated by the terrorist group, the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA), at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan in Peru.
2. To show its full solidarity with the Peruvian people and Government in the face of this reprehensible terrorist act that constitutes a deliberate violation of individual rights and freedoms and an assault upon democracy itself and also to support the efforts of the Government of Peru to safeguard the lives and physical integrity of the hostages and secure their prompt release.
3. Also to express its solidarity with the people and governments affected by these serious event, especially with the Government of Japan.
4. To support the statement issued today by the Secretary General, in which he emphatically condemns the terrorist act in Lima.
5. To request the Chair of the Permanent Council and the Secretary General to transmit this resolution to the Government of Peru.

CP02797.E(7) .