Human Rights Watch calls for Peruvian President Dina Boluarte to veto a bill that severely restricts independent journalists and NGOs. The bill permits government overreach on foreign-funded organizations and threatens the freedom of expression and association. It forms part of a broader trend towards systemic erosion of democratic structures in Peru. Continued pressure on civil society and media can lead to detrimental implications for human rights and justice within the nation.
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte is urged to veto a controversial bill, recently passed by Congress, that imposes severe restrictions on independent journalists and civil society organizations, according to Human Rights Watch. The bill, approved on March 12, 2025, grants the government excessive powers over organizations receiving foreign funding, potentially penalizing those who criticize government policies. This legislation is part of a trend to weaken democratic institutions and hinder investigations into human rights abuses and organized crime, ultimately threatening judicial independence.
Under the Peruvian Constitution, President Boluarte has a window of 15 days to veto the law before it becomes enacted. Failure to act will result in Congress automatically implementing the bill. Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, expressed, “The Peruvian Congress is following the footsteps of autocratic regimes that demonize and punish human rights groups and journalists that receive foreign funding.” She urges President Boluarte to veto the bill to maintain a commitment to the rule of law.
The bill permits government intervention on foreign-funded projects, enabling authorities to block, suspend, or cancel registrations of organizations identified as “misusing” financial resources. This broad definition threatens to encompass actions such as filing human rights cases against Peruvian authorities. Additionally, the requirement for public disclosure of addresses and project details of foreign-funded organizations raises concerns for the safety of civil society activists, as intimidation tactics from right-wing groups have been noted.
This legislation comes amidst cuts to foreign aid, influenced by former US President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly affecting Peruvian NGOs and independent media. From July 2022 to June 2023, Peru ranked third in US foreign assistance in South America. These funds support vital programs addressing food insecurity and judicial independence for vulnerable communities, yet groups claim to be facing adverse effects from reduced financial resources.
Despite Congress citing concerns over “diversion of funds” by NGOs, reports indicate that suspicious transactions linked to unlawful activities primarily involve illegal mining and organized crime, not NGOs. Goebertus noted, “If Congress cared about money laundering, it would go after illegal mining and organized crime groups in Peru.”
President Boluarte’s reluctance to veto multiple bills undermining democracy indicates a troubling trend. She permitted a July 2024 bill establishing a statute of limitations on war crimes and another narrowing the definition of organized crime, which limits effective legal investigation.
Peru’s obligations under international human rights agreements, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, necessitate that any limitations on freedoms must be closely defined and proportionate. The Congress-approved bill, containing ambiguous language, poses a risk of arbitrary restrictions on civil society’s operation and access to funding. Goebertus emphasized, “This law goes much further and could easily be used to punish critics and hinder the work of independent journalists and human rights groups.”
In conclusion, the recent bill passed by the Peruvian Congress poses substantial risks to the freedoms of civil society and independent journalism. President Boluarte’s prompt veto is critical to prevent the establishment of authoritarian tendencies and to uphold the rights assured under international law. The legislation’s vague language could lead to arbitrary restrictions, further eroding democratic institutions and failing to address real issues concerning governance and human rights in Peru.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
