Letter to Secretary of State Shultz on Death of Sr. Joan Sawyer in Peru, October 30, 1984

October 30, 1984

The Honorable George P. Shultz
Secretary of State
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary:

On December 22,1983, I wrote to you concerning the events at Lurigancho Prison in Lima, Peru, on December 14, 1983, which resulted in the tragic death of Sister Joan Sawyer, SSC. I requested that you join in seeking a thorough and impartial investigation of these events.

Mr. Fernando E. Rondon, Director of the Office of Andean Affairs, Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, responded on your behalf on January 9, 1984. In his letter, Mr. Rondon told me that the United States Government had sought from the Peruvian authorities a complete investigation of the events that led to Sister Joan Sawyer's death and said that "we will continue to pursue this case vigorously."

Since ten months have now passed since Sister Joan Sawyer's death and there has not yet been a report rendered on the promised investigation, it occurs to me that, as some American missionary personnel in Peru have stated, there may be a desire on the part of Peruvian officials to drop the case or let it simply fade away.

I hope that the United States Government will press for a thorough and impartial and timely investigation of the events that resulted in the death of Sister Joan Sawyer. I shall very much appreciate any information that your office may be able to provide me concerning this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Reverend Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye
General Secretary

letter-to-secretary-of-state-shultz-on-death-of-sr-joan-sawyer-inperu-1984-10-30.pdf