Ombudsman's Report No. 02-2002 (Existence of a Mass Grave in Sancaypata, District of Totos, Ayacucho)

Ombudsman investigation into the existence of alleged mass graves with human remains in the area of Sancaypata in the district of Totos, province of Cangallo, Ayacucho. On May 16, 17, and 18, 2001, the Defensoría del Pueblo conducted a working visit to the district of Totos, province of Cangallo, to verify press reports from May 14 reporting the discovery of an alleged mass grave in the area of Paqpamuqu (district of Totos), whose area had been placed under precautionary measures by the Mixed Provincial Prosecutor of Cangallo. During this same visit, information was obtained from local residents about the existence of other graves in the district of Totos, in the areas of Ccarpaccasa and Sancaypata, where a group of people from the same district and from the rural community of Quispillaqta, respectively, had been clandestinely buried. I. Background II. Jurisdiction of the Defensoría del Pueblo III. Investigation and ombudsman actions IV. Context of political violence in 1983 in the districts of Chuschi and Totos, province of Cangallo V. The facts under investigation VI. Analysis VII. Complaints filed by the victims' families with the Ministerio Público VIII. Violated rights and applicable norms IX. The need for an adequate investigation into acts of criminal relevance X. Conclusions XI. Recommendations