In Peru, Front Line Defenders has raised alarms regarding the unjust criminalisation of eleven indigenous and campesino human rights defenders in Cotabambas, stemming from their opposition to the Las Bambas mining project. The group is calling for the Peruvian government to respect due process during the appeal process, initiated on 19 March 2025, safeguarding the defendants’ rights under the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. The appeal hearings, which began on 31 March 2025, are expected to conclude within fifteen days, with the next session slated for 4 April, affording each defender a brief two-minute testimony.
The group facing charges includes Virginia Pinares Ochoa and her ten companions, all esteemed community leaders in Apurímac. These Quechua-speaking defenders have long fought against the detrimental impacts of large-scale mining on their territories. Their activism relates directly to the harmful effects of the Las Bambas mining project, violating their rights as they seek justice, transparency, and environmental safeguards within their communities.
The criminal allegations trace back to protests in September 2015, wherein community members sought clarity on the mining project’s environmental practices. Instead of listening to their demands, police responded with force, and both the government and mining company retaliated by lodging complaints against the community leaders, alleging crimes linked to disruption.
Since the initiation of legal action in 2015, significant flaws throughout the judicial process have been reported, including biases favouring mining interests. Lawyers representing the defenders have pointed out the absence of substantial evidence; the judgement lacks clarity, violating principles of a fair trial and due process as outlined in justice norms.
In July 2024, a verdict was handed down, condemning the eleven defenders to long prison terms, alongside excessive financial penalties directed towards the state and the mining company. An appeal process commenced following this judgement, aiming to overturn the initial decision, presently under scrutiny until the final ruling.
The Las Bambas project, a significant copper extraction enterprise, has wrought considerable environmental and social havoc in Apurímac. Criticisms concerning the lack of dialogue and consultation with communities exacerbates local grievances against the ongoing impacts from the mining operations and transport systems.
Front Line Defenders posits that this legal action illustrates a pattern of systematic criminalisation against those who advocate for environmental and indigenous rights, often prosecuted merely for engaging in peaceful protest. Concerns from various international human rights bodies heighten the urgency for reform to protect those defending their local environments.
The organisation insists on the immediate withdrawal of charges against these defenders and is calling for proactive measures from Peruvian authorities to secure their safety. Furthermore, it encourages investors to acknowledge the ramifications of their operations and insists that the Las Bambas company steps back from its legal pursuit, observing due diligence and respect for local communities rights. There’s an urgent need for Peru to establish concrete protective frameworks for communities and assure that defenders can operate without fear of retribution or legal harassment.
Front Line Defenders highlights the ongoing criminalisation of eleven indigenous and campesino leaders in Cotabambas, Peru, due to their opposition to the Las Bambas mining project. The organisation urges the Peruvian government to uphold due process amid an appeal process that commenced in March 2025. The defenders have faced judicial biases and lack of evidence in a lengthy legal battle since 2015, raising alarm over the broader implications for human rights in the region.
The plight of eleven human rights defenders in Peru brings into sharp focus the systemic challenges faced by those championing indigenous and environmental rights. The call for due process resonates deeply, particularly as judicial biases and failures persist amidst an ongoing struggle against powerful mining interests. Protecting these defenders is not merely a matter of legal integrity but a reflection of a commitment to uphold human rights within socio-environmental conflicts in Peru. Immediate action is thus imperative to ensure the protection of defenders and the rights of communities affected by extractive industries.
Original Source: www.frontlinedefenders.org
