Concerns Rise Over Peru’s ‘Anti-NGO’ Legislation
Peruvian rights groups are alarmed over a newly adopted bill criminalizing NGOs for pursuing legal action against the state for human rights violations. The law imposes serious penalties for providing assistance in such cases and increases oversight of foreign funding sources. Organizations like Promsex view this as a major threat to democracy and justice.
On Thursday, Peruvian human rights organizations voiced strong opposition to a recently passed legislation restricting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from pursuing legal action against the government for human rights violations. The law, adopted by a Congress dominated by right-wing parties, criminalizes NGOs for advising, assisting, or financing lawsuits against the state and heightens scrutiny over their foreign funding.
The government has a two-week window to enact the new law or propose amendments to Congress. Promsex, an NGO focused on women’s sexual and reproductive rights, condemned the legislation as a significant setback for democracy and human rights in Peru. They stated, “We reject this law, which hinders access to justice and perpetuates impunity.”
The Press and Society Institute, a media rights organization, likened the legislation to measures enacted by authoritarian governments throughout Latin America. The current Congress appears determined to amplify governmental control over NGOs, which have encountered backlash from conservative factions for taking legal action against the state regarding alleged human rights abuses.
One notable case involves Celia Ramos, who succumbed to complications following forced sterilization during a government campaign in the 1990s, and is currently under review by the Inter-American Court for Human Rights. Eduardo Salhuana, President of Congress, indicated that the aim of the new law is to guarantee that international development aid successfully reaches its intended beneficiaries rather than being exploited by NGOs against the state.
Civil society organizations contend that the legislation is unconstitutional, as it effectively grants the government veto power over NGO operations. Peru already maintains a governmental body responsible for overseeing and ensuring the transparency of NGO activities and funding utilization.
The recent passage of an ‘anti-NGO’ bill in Peru has incited considerable backlash from human rights groups, who view it as a threat to democracy and accountability. By criminalizing legal defenses against the state and intensifying scrutiny on NGOs, the law constrains civil society’s ability to challenge governmental actions. The legislative move underscores ongoing tensions between state authority and human rights advocacy in Peru.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
