While leftist rebels hold scores of hostages in the cramped quarters of the Japanese ambassador in Lima, their jailed comrades live in what human rights groups and relatives of the prisoners call subhuman conditions. But ICRC spokesman Roland Bigler said Friday the Peruvian government had suspended visits since the siege of the Japanese embassy residence December 17. Some 100 remaining hostages at the embassy residence have been squeezed into five rooms of the house, where they sleep on the floor.
Prisoners live in similarly cramped quarters.
In the center of the cell is a bare concrete block which serves as a both seat and bed. The food budget of the prison service allows for 60 U.S. cents to be spent per day on each prisoner, which is about enough for half a liter of milk and three pieces of bread a day. Sociologist and political analyst Carlos Tapia said prison conditions for MTRA members is particularly tough since the government 'is paying them back' for the months in captivity they held several businessmen in their so-called jails of the people. Radios, television, newspapers and cassette players are prohibited. In the icy Andean prison of Yanamayo, where U.S. national Lori Berenson is serving a life sentence for links to the MRTA, the cells have only open grates which allow the cold fog waft through the prison.