Epafras and Joran
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-media-attacks-peru-could-harm-prisoners
Dutch criticism of Perus treatment of Joran van der Sloot, the suspect in the Lima hotel murder case, could impact on other Dutch prisoners in the country. The warning comes from Epafras, an organisation that provides support for Dutch prisoners abroad.
The Peruvian authorities treatment of Dutch murder suspect Joran van der Sloot has come in for much criticism in the Netherlands. Every detail of the case has been widely reported, and Van der Sloots statements published in the press, with little respect for his right to privacy. The parading of suspects in front of TV cameras is anathema to the Netherlands, where suspects privacy is strictly maintained. Their full names and photos are always withheld in the media unless (like Joran van der Sloot, in fact) their identity is already widely known to the public.
But Epafras is warning that the Dutch should be cautious about publicly criticising the Peruvian justice system. Spokesman and pastor Martien Agterberg says it could have negative consequences for other Dutch prisoners in the region. He says he knows of situations in which prisoners have had their entitlement to visits and other rights curtailed as a result of Dutch criticism.
I think the Netherlands would be wise not to seek too much publicity. As far as I know, thats whats happening too. You should certainly respond to a number of matters, but through quiet diplomacy not through the media. Ive seen it myself in Ecuador, where Dutch prisoners were being tortured in jail. The Dutch embassy, which had picked up signals about it, managed to arrange internally for a number of Dutch people to be transferred to somewhat safer prisons.
Fair trial
Another organisation that represents the interests of Dutch prisoners abroad has also voiced concern. PrisonLaw is a Dutch foundation that provides legal information to Dutch prisoners overseas and campaigns against human rights abuses. Spokeswoman and lawyer Rachel Imamkhan has little faith in the independence of the Peruvian justice system.
If I look at Dutch prisoners in Peru, my experience is that a fair trial is hard to come by in the country. Peru is a signatory to all sorts of international treaties and also has its obligations, but little comes of it in practice. Peru is now in the international spotlight, so theyll do everything they can to give him a fair trial."
Ms Imamkhan says she has confidence in Joran van der Sloots Peruvian lawyer, Máximo Altez. Mr Altez has denied reports that he had pulled out of the case in response to threats against his family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wonder if Joran's complaining could have the same effect. There are many Dutch prisoners in the Peru system but mainly for drug trafficking. One of those is a young lady named Wendy who, when she was pregnant and out of a job, did some drug smuggling to save money for her and her baby. She's in Peru prison for 15 years. Her mother is raising her baby. It's a sad situation when she's got 15 years, and lawyers talk that Joran could get 3 to 5 years only for murder. He has also had a 5 year history of very adverse behaviour which started months before Natalee arrived on the Island. They still want to lay the blame on others with their interviews.
