In a dramatic turn of events, Peruvian rights groups are in an uproar over a recently adopted bill, which obscures legal recourse for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) against state human rights violations. This legislation, passed by a Congress dominated by right-wing factions, makes it a severe infringement for NGOs to provide support or finance any lawsuits aimed at the state. Additionally, it intensifies the scrutiny of international funding their operations rely upon.
NGOs like Promsex, dedicated to advocating women’s sexual and reproductive rights, have condemned the bill as an affront to democracy and human rights. They decried the new law as another barrier to justice, alleging it deepens the culture of impunity. The Press and Society Institute, known for its media rights advocacy, likened the measure to those enacted by authoritarian regimes across Latin America.
At the heart of this legislative move lies Congress’s desire to impose stricter oversight over NGOs, particularly those critical of state actions. For instance, the Inter-American Court for Human Rights currently hears a case regarding Celia Ramos, whose tragic death followed coerced sterilisation in the 1990s under a government initiative. Congress President Eduardo Salhuana claimed that the bill aims to ensure international development funding benefits its intended recipients, preventing possible misuse by NGOs.
However, critics label this legislation unconstitutional, arguing it grants the government undue veto power over the functioning of associations. Notably, Peru already has an established regulatory body to oversee NGO activities and the proper application of their funds.
Peruvian rights groups are alarmed by a new bill prohibiting NGOs from suing the state for human rights abuses, which they view as an attack on democracy. The legislation makes it an offence for NGOs to assist or finance lawsuits against the state and increases scrutiny on their foreign funding. Critics assert it is unconstitutional and liken it to authoritarian measures across Latin America, intensifying concerns over justice and human rights in Peru.
The adopted ‘anti-NGO’ bill in Peru restricts NGOs from pursuing legal action against the state for human rights abuses, causing significant unrest among civil society. With critiques highlighting the bill’s unconstitutional nature and its alignment with authoritarian practice, the implications for democracy and justice in Peru are profound. As Congress pushes for greater oversight, the fate of human rights advocacy hangs in the balance.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
