Peru's president, Dina Boluarte, has stirred controversy by signing a new law that grants amnesty to soldiers, police, and civilian militias involved in human rights abuses during the country's two-decade-long conflict with Maoist rebels. This law, which was passed by Congress in July, contradicts an order from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to suspend its implementation while assessing its effects on victims.
The amnesty will extend to hundreds of individuals accused of crimes committed between 1980 and 2000 and will release those over 70 who are currently serving sentences for such offenses. The internal conflict, primarily driven by groups like the Shining Path and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, resulted in the deaths of around 70,000 people and the disappearance of more than 20,000 others, according to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Peru.
Boluarte, who made history by becoming Peru's first female president in 2022, defended the law by stating it honors the military and police forces that she believes defended democracy against terrorism. However, human rights organizations have labeled the move as a "betrayal" of victims and a setback to the fight for accountability related to severe human rights violations.
Juanita Goebertus from Human Rights Watch criticized the law, asserting that it undermines years of efforts to bring justice to those affected by such atrocities. Voices from the United Nations and Amnesty International have urged Boluarte to reject the legislation, emphasizing that it goes against Peru’s obligation to investigate and prosecute human rights violations, including torture, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
UN experts have warned that this amnesty could halt over 600 ongoing trials and overturn 156 convictions, jeopardizing victim rights. The TRC has pointed out that state forces were responsible for 83% of all documented cases of sexual violence during the conflict. In a notable previous development, last year, Peru also introduced a statute of limitations for crimes against humanity committed before 2002, effectively ending numerous investigations into events from that era.
The situation remains tense as the international community watches closely how the Peruvian government navigates this deeply sensitive and complex issue.