Amnesty International has raised significant alarm following the Peruvian Congress’s recent approval of a controversial amendment to Law 27692, which governs the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI). The human rights organization has articulated deep concerns that these legislative changes pose a threat to the freedoms of civil society groups within the country, potentially leading to increased governmental control over non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
At the heart of Amnesty International’s concerns lies the heightened risk of state censorship and restriction. Under the new legal framework, NGOs receiving international funding will now be required to obtain government approval for their activities, effectively placing their operational autonomy in jeopardy. Executive Director of Amnesty International Peru noted that this could result in arbitrary limitations and even the de-listing of NGOs critical of government policies from the national APCI register.
Further compounding the issue, the reform enacts punitive measures against legal actions taken against the state for human rights breaches, classifying them as severe infractions. Amnesty International argues this could abet a culture of impunity, shielding public officials from accountability for human rights violations. The organization has called upon the Peruvian government to maintain its commitments under international agreements, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights, which uphold fundamental rights to free expression and association.
The APCI, established in 2002, serves as a pivotal institution in steering international cooperation involving various tiers of government and civil organizations. However, under the contentious amendment approved by Congress on March 13, there is rising concern over an increased inclination to stifle entities voicing opposition to state policies. This has drawn criticism from various civil groups, including the Instituto de Defensa Legal (IDL), which views the measure as an attempt to unduly sanction NGOs and obstruct access to justice for human rights victims.
Peru has faced ongoing criticism for utilizing legal frameworks to obscure governmental complicity in human rights abuses. Last year, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled against the Peruvian government for failing to safeguard citizens from environmental pollution linked to mining operations. Meanwhile, the approval of a law introducing a statute of limitations on crimes against humanity had previously sparked outrage, viewed as an impediment to probing historical abuses.
The approval of the anti-NGO bill underscores a growing unease regarding governmental encroachments on civil liberties in Peru. As international scrutiny mounts, the call for regulatory oversight aligned with international human rights obligations remains a critical voice amid these legislative changes. For further detailed analysis, please see the original reporting by JURIST.