In this May 20, 2022 photo, a funeral procession in Peru recalled the tragic Accomarca massacre of 1985. During this very violent raid, military forces killed dozens of innocent civilians — including women and children. This occasion inspired a central pivotal moment in the struggle for justice. It represents hope for the victims of the inhumane civil war that shattered the nation. Chief Peruvian military officers in Ayacucho conceived and authorized the operation. That politically motivated decision led to the death of 62 people, according to Peru’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The impact of this tragedy continues to be felt in courtrooms and public discourse across the country. Now, a new amnesty law threatens to undo that progress.
The Accomarca massacre nonetheless remains a painful chapter in Peru’s history. The majority of victims were Indigenous and rural, who primarily spoke Indigenous languages such as Quechua. Almost 79 percent of those displaced resided in these rural hamlets and endured unimaginable disruption and violence during the war. To survivors like Francisco Ochoa, the event remains an indelible memory. Having lost family members in the tragedy himself, today he is an ardent and effective advocate for the victims’ families through his organization.
This commemoration – a year from the day of tragedy on May 20 – was not merely an act of remembrance, but an urgent demand for accountability. Authorities relied on DNA testing to positively identify the victims. They had a formal burial, giving each life lost a procession with white coffins. This memorial dedication was an important first step in acknowledging the tragedy that took place there.
The Legacy of Violence
The Accomarca events demonstrate the dark reality of the state-sponsored violence that permeated Peru’s internal conflict. Francisco Ochoa recounted the horrors he witnessed, stating, “Once they were all gathered, they separated the women from the men and put them inside one of the villagers’ huts. The women were assaulted, the men were tortured, and the hut was fired upon and burned with everyone inside.”
These massacres were not isolated incidents, but rather the conditions of a greater counter-insurgency strategy used by militaries to eliminate threats. According to Peru’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, “The extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, and tortures were not the result of individual initiatives but rather the execution of a strategy.” While small, this acknowledgment is emblematic of the huge, systemic violence that dominated the region.
Other witness to the conflict Lurgio Gavilán underscored the far-reaching effects of these events. “The fact is, the Shining Path, the army — they didn’t come from somewhere else. They were not foreigners. It was us,” he noted, emphasizing the collective responsibility for addressing these dark periods in history.
The Fight for Justice
Advocates worked tirelessly to ensure justice prevailed. At the same time, recent political developments cast a long shadow of suspicion over a potential amnesty law that would shield these perpetrators from accountability. In a joint statement, nine legal experts condemned the bill as a “clear breach” of Peru’s obligations under international law. This legislation would roll back years of work focused on delivering reparations and justice to the families of those victims.
Gloria Cano, a leading figure in the local human rights community, sharing her frustrations with the state of affairs. There are two caveats to this hopeful picture. Second, the courts’ 2017 civil reparations ruling should be fulfilled. This hasn’t been delivered yet,” she said, hinting at dissatisfaction even in the idea that justice has been delivered thus far.
Jo-Marie Burt, who worked with Peru’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and has closely followed the Accomarca legal case, emphasized the importance of acknowledging past atrocities. “To deal with the past, reckon with the past, provide reparations to the victims, and to help society kind of move past what happened,” she explained. Her reflections show a developing recognition on a larger scale that real healing means addressing the harm and taking steps to remedy it.
The Role of Memory in Healing
Healing from trauma is a complicated process, but it will take collective memory to counteract historic injustices and trauma. This pledge to never forget victims such as those of Accomarca is part and parcel to how society reacts to incidents of violence. Recognitions of a formal nature, such as burials, function as both memorials and reminders that these tragedies should not be left in the past.
Burt further elaborated on how justice is essential for healing: “by providing victims with a remedy right through a legal system.” This sentiment strikes such a strong chord in communities that are still haunted by loss and searching for closure.
In light of recent political changes and potential amnesty laws, advocates worry that hard-won achievements in human rights will be compromised. As our struggle for justice continues every day. Families, such as those represented by Ochoa, are proudly and courageously telling their stories and demanding accountability and reparations.
