UN Experts Condemn Peru’s Amnesty Law, Citing Human Rights Violations

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over Peru’s recent amnesty law, which grants pardon to individuals convicted of human rights abuses during the country’s internal conflict. According to UN experts, this law undermines the principles of accountability and justice, allowing perpetrators to go unpunished. The law, which was passed in 2022, has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and victims’ families. The UN experts argue that the law is in direct contravention of Peru’s international obligations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses. The amnesty law has been seen as a major setback for the country’s efforts to come to terms with its troubled past. Peru’s internal conflict, which lasted from 1980 to 2000, resulted in the deaths of over 70,000 people, with many more displaced or disappeared. The conflict was marked by widespread human rights abuses, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances. The UN experts have called on the Peruvian government to repeal the law and ensure that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable. The experts have also expressed concern over the lack of consultation with victims’ families and civil society organizations during the drafting of the law. The Peruvian government has defended the law, arguing that it is necessary to promote national reconciliation and stability. However, human rights organizations have argued that the law is a form of impunity, which will only serve to perpetuate a culture of violence and abuse. The UN experts have reminded the Peruvian government of its obligations under international law to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses. The experts have also called on the international community to support the victims of human rights abuses in Peru and to pressure the government to repeal the law. The amnesty law has been widely condemned by countries around the world, with many expressing concern over its implications for human rights and the rule of law. The law has also been criticized by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which has argued that it is incompatible with the American Convention on Human Rights. The UN experts have emphasized that the right to truth, justice, and reparations is fundamental to the victims of human rights abuses and their families. The experts have also highlighted the importance of ensuring that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable, in order to prevent future abuses. The Peruvian government has been urged to take immediate action to address the concerns of the UN experts and to ensure that the country’s human rights obligations are respected. The UN experts have also called on the Peruvian government to provide reparations to the victims of human rights abuses and their families. The amnesty law has been seen as a major challenge to the country’s efforts to promote human rights and the rule of law. The UN experts have emphasized that the promotion of human rights and the rule of law is essential to ensuring stability and prosperity in Peru. The experts have also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the country’s institutions are strengthened and that the rule of law is respected. The Peruvian government has been urged to take immediate action to address the concerns of the UN experts and to ensure that the country’s human rights obligations are respected. The UN experts have also called on the international community to support the efforts of human rights organizations and civil society groups in Peru, in order to promote human rights and the rule of law.

Source