Case History: Hitler Ananias Gonzales Rojas

On 28 December 2015, four unidentified gunmen shot and killed human rights defender Mr Hitler Ananias Gonzales Rojas in the province of Celendin, Cajamarca region.

Apart from being a well-known campesino leader and president of Central Unica Nacional de Rondas Campesinas del Peru - CUNARC (Peasant Patrols), Hitler Ananias Gonzales Rojas was also a prominent human rights defender and vice-president of Frente de Defensa del Yagén (Yagén Defence Front).

Prior to his assassination, the human rights defender had been actively involved in opposition to the development of the Chadín II hydroelectric project in the Marañón River. The hydroelectric project, which is being led by the Brazilian company Odebrecht, has faced strong opposition from local communities due to alleged negative consequences arising from its development, including population displacement and environmental damage.

The human rights defender was attacked by the four unidentified assailants at approximately 9am on 28 December 2015, while walking back to his home in the town of Yagén. Hitler Ananias Gonzales Rojas was shot eight times in the head and chest and died at the scene of the attack.

The assassination of Hitler Ananias Gonzales Rojas follows previous instances of his persecution and intimidation. The human rights defender was a constant victim of defamation, harassment, threats and criminalisation as a result of his opposition to the Chadín II hydroelectric project. He was also a victim of continuous judicial harassment, including the bringing of fabricated charges of illegal possession of weapons, attempted murder and kidnapping, against him.

Front Line Defenders has received recent reports from human rights defenders in Cajamarca highlighting the development of a trend of killings and attempted killings of human rights defenders in the region. Within these reports, particular concern has been communicated for the intensification of risks faced by human rights defenders working on issues of land and environmental rights, such as the human rights defender and campesino leader Mr Cesar Estrada, who suffered two attempts on his life in September 2015 and November 2015.

Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the killing of Hitler Ananias Gonzales Rojas, which it believes to be directly linked to his leading role in opposition to Chadín II hydroelectric project. Front Line Defenders expresses further concern about recent attacks and intimidation against human rights defenders and campesino leaders in the region of Cajamarca.