Why are we such a divided society? One could easily think that in front of a common enemy we could all be united. We have a few enemies, but for now, let me this time focus on one that just does not let go. That enemy is called terrorism, in whatever shape and form it wants to adopt.

Lately, we have listened to young Peruvians repeating old chants that we thought we would never listen again; we have also listened to not-so-young people, holding leadership positions within MOVADEF, plainly refusing to rule out the use of violent methods. As amazing as it sounds, yes, there is still a group of people that think violence and terror can lead us to a better life, one that serves the interest of the oppressed masses.

While we should all be worried about the resurgence of this insane movement and making sure we do something to stop it, here we are fighting and confronting one another. Politicians, as usual, continue to blame each other for being lenient with terrorists, while we have the permanent battle between the right and the so-called left-wing ‘caviar’ groups; we also have the confrontation between those that irresponsibly criticize the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission— irresponsibly as many tend to repeat the barbs over-used in the media when they haven’t even read the Commission’s report or investigated even a little about its work— and those that consider that there is value in the work carried out by the Commission.

The number of victims during the 1980s and 1990s as reflected in the Commission’sreport is yet another subject of controversy, when it is tragic enough if one, two, a hundred or a thousand people die. The recent attempts to delegitimize the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission due to some small points of data must not overshadow the work of a team of professionals that had the guts and courage to listen to the tragedies that long-forgotten and neglected Peruvians had to tell in an effort to unveil the truth and achieve reconciliation.

The commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the capture of the biggest criminal in Peru is a golden opportunity to remember what this country has gone through. To read, watch, listen, tell, express, teach,participate, talk and discuss about what happened, why did it happen, and what we need to do as a society to not let this happen ever again are all musts.

It was good to see that during the past week most media outlets, the academia, arts and cultural movements, human rights NGOs, victim associations, with the support of some municipalities (e.g. Lima and Miraflores), did take advantage of the dates to remind us all of those dark years that Peruvians, some more than others, lived through.

However, little, if any, is known about political parties reaching out to counteract any attempt in the resurgence of violent movements and times. Sadly, it would seem political parties become all of a sudden quite active only during campaigning times and then they vanish into thin air.

No doubt the government has the prime responsibility to protect human lives and do everything needed to ensure the enjoyment of our rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution. However, political parties, civil society, and individuals also have their share of duty for securing a society free from violence.

Rather than fighting, blaming and naming, we Peruvians should reflect on what each of us can do to stop now and prevent the violence from reoccurring before it is too late. Every person can do something. The commemoration dates might be over but not our duty to promote a society where values such as truth, justice and freedom from violence are duly upheld.
 

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