Research Work on the Doctrinal Foundations of the Crime of Terrorism in Peru

Our country suffered for nearly ten years from what was termed an "Internal War" characterized by the presence of terrorist groups such as the MRTA and Sendero Luminoso — fueled primarily by the discontent of the large marginalized peasant sectors living under conditions of poverty and injustice — whose actions resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and economic and structural resources, leading to widespread instability. The actions that characterized this period of our history warranted special treatment by our legislators, who, aiming at general deterrence, led to an expansion of the criminal offense of Terrorism as doctrinally conceived, proceedings conducted with minimal observance of the Principle of Due Process, indiscriminate increases in penalties, and even the attribution of such acts to persons who had no connection to any such organizations. (Excerpt from the presentation).