On March 12, 2025, the Peruvian Congress approved a controversial bill, dubbed the “anti-NGO law,” which modifies the framework governing the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI). With 82 votes in favour and only 15 opposed, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) promptly condemned the decision. They assert that this law, if enacted, starkly contradicts both constitutional rights and international regulations, urging its immediate revocation.
The new law imposes grave limitations on fundamental rights, specifically targeting NGOs by criminalising any legal aid activities against the State. Article 21.c.2 classifies the use of international resources to support legal actions as a “very serious” offence. This shocking development severely restricts NGOs’ ability to assist vulnerable communities in seeking justice, thereby leaving countless victims without support against potential State abuses.
FIDH highlighted that effective judicial protection is guaranteed under Article 139.3 of the Peruvian Constitution. The restriction on NGOs financing legal actions against the State not only impedes access to justice but also breaches principles of equality and non-discrimination. Such limitations disproportionately affect the ability of vulnerable citizens to defend themselves legally.
Moreover, organizations registered with the APCI now face burdensome requirements, including prior approval of their annual agendas. This stipulation unjustly curtails the autonomy of NGOs, subjecting them to possible sanctions, including severe fines, suspension of benefits, or even registration cancellation. This move could disrupt international aid and severely curtail freedom of association.
The law further prohibits NGOs from engaging in any internal political matters, giving APCI broad power to determine which actions may be deemed politically motivated. Such measures could hinder essential functions like policy monitoring or community mobilization, potentially branding these activities as unlawful.
FIDH warns that this law fundamentally undermines the vital work of NGOs defending human rights, threatening not only democratic integrity but also Peru’s commitments to international human rights accords, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights.
On March 12, 2025, Peru’s Congress approved the “anti-NGO law,” limiting NGOs’ roles in legal actions against the State. This law restricts civil society’s ability to assist vulnerable communities, contradicts constitutional rights, and puts international cooperation at risk. FIDH condemned the law, proclaiming it a step back for democracy and human rights in Peru.
The passage of the “anti-NGO law” by Peru’s Congress poses a dire threat to civil society and fundamental rights, significantly impairing NGOs’ ability to support vulnerable populations. FIDH stresses that enforcing such restrictions undermines democracy, equality, and international obligations, calling for the law’s revocation. The trajectory set by this legislation may alter the landscape for human rights advocacy in Peru, raising grave concerns for the future of civic engagement.
Original Source: www.fidh.org
