Financial Crime World

Human Rights and Governance Issues in Peru: A Concerning State of Affairs

Indigenous Rights: A Fragile Promise

Peru’s commitment to indigenous rights is reflected in the Indigenous Prior Consultation Law (2011) and its endorsement of international standards, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, despite these efforts:

  • Free, prior, and informed consent for activities impacting indigenous territories and resources remains an unfulfilled promise.
  • The government’s failure to protect indigenous lands and interests has led to ongoing conflicts.

Social Conflicts and Protests: A Growing Concern

The number of social conflicts in Peru continues to rise, with:

  • 221 reported social conflicts in 2023, a significant increase from the previous year.
  • Protests now focusing on socio-environmental issues like mining, as well as demands for representation, inclusion, transparency, and accountability.

Human Rights Abuses: A Worrying Trend

The appointment of President Dina Boluarte in December 2022 led to widespread protests and reports of human rights abuses:

  • 67 deaths (60 civilians and 7 security forces officials), 1785 injured, and almost a thousand detentions.
  • Human rights groups have confirmed these abuses, highlighting the need for accountability.

Protecting Human Rights Defenders: A Government Failure

The Peruvian government has failed to protect human rights defenders, despite claims of support:

  • At least 30 HRDs have been killed in Peru since 2011 (almost half in the last three years).
  • The lack of effective protection and support for HRDs undermines their work and puts them at greater risk.

Natural Disasters: A Humanitarian Crisis

Peru has faced severe natural disasters, including:

  • Flooding and landslides caused by intense rains and Cyclone Yaku, affecting 517,000 people.
  • Save the Children is leading the coordination of the £400,000 Start response to address the humanitarian crisis.

Corruption: A Persistent Problem

Corruption remains a significant issue in Peru, with:

  • Bribery illegal but widespread.
  • Transparency International listing Peru as the 8th most corrupt country in South America and 109th place worldwide in the Corruption Perception Index for 2021.
  • Major corruption scandals linked to Odebrecht have implicated all former Peruvian Presidents since 2001.