Peru’s Congress has adopted a bill that prohibits NGOs from taking legal actions against the state for human rights violations, sparking outrage from rights groups. The law categorizes such actions as a “serious offense” and intensifies scrutiny of foreign funding. Critics argue the bill undermines democracy and violates constitutional rights, while the government insists it serves to ensure proper use of international aid.
Peruvian rights organizations have voiced strong opposition to a recently passed bill that prohibits non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from pursuing legal action against the state regarding human rights violations. Adopted by a Congress dominated by right-wing parties, this legislation categorizes it as a “serious offense” for NGOs to “advise, assist, or finance” lawsuits against the government, while intensifying scrutiny over the foreign funding of these organizations.
The Peruvian government is allotted a two-week period to enact this law or to propose amendments to Congress. Promsex, an NGO advocating for women’s sexual and reproductive rights, criticized the bill as an “anti-NGO law,” describing it as “another blow to democracy and human rights in Peru,” asserting that it obstructs justice and fosters impunity.
The Press and Society Institute, a media rights NGO, drew comparisons between this bill and legislations enacted by authoritarian regimes throughout Latin America. The motivation behind Peru’s Congress seems rooted in a desire to impose stricter oversight of NGOs, which have drawn criticism from conservatives due to their legal challenges against the state over alleged human rights abuses.
A notable case that illustrates these tensions involves Celia Ramos, a victim of forced sterilization within a state campaign during the 1990s, currently before the Inter-American Court for Human Rights. Congress president Eduardo Salhuana defended the bill, arguing that it aims to ensure international development aid is effectively utilized without NGOs launching actions against the state.
Civil society groups label the new law unconstitutional, claiming it effectively grants the government veto power over the operations of associations. Notably, Peru already has an existing state agency tasked with overseeing NGOs and ensuring transparency in funding utilization.
The adoption of the controversial anti-NGO bill by Peru’s Congress has sparked fierce backlash from rights organizations, who argue that it undermines democracy and human rights. This legislation not only limits NGOs’ ability to challenge the state legally but also subjects them to heightened oversight, raising constitutional concerns. Prominent organizations have drawn parallels to authoritarian measures seen in other Latin American nations, emphasizing the importance of preserving civil society’s role in promoting justice and accountability.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
