Human Rights Watch has urged Peruvian President Dina Boluarte to veto a bill passed by Congress that restricts independent journalists and civil society organizations. The law expands government authority over foreign-funded groups, with vague definitions that could penalize criticism of the state. Critics argue this undermines democracy, while prior assaults on the rule of law by Boluarte deepen concerns about governmental overreach in Peru’s civil space.
In a recent development, Human Rights Watch urged Peruvian President Dina Boluarte to veto a newly passed bill by Congress that threatens the operations of independent journalists and civil society organizations. This legislation, approved on March 12, 2025, potentially empowers the government to penalize groups that receive foreign funding and criticize government policies, thereby undermining democratic institutions.
The bill’s broad and ambiguous language enables government authorities to block projects funded by foreign sources under vague accusations of misuse, including actions against the Peruvian state. This could deter human rights cases against authorities at both national and international levels. Additionally, the requirement for public disclosure of these organizations’ details poses a risk of intimidation from right-wing groups.
The legislation emerges amidst reduced US foreign aid, which has significantly impacted Peruvian NGOs addressing issues like food security and judicial independence. Congress’s justification for this bill rests on concerns regarding financial misconduct, despite a report indicating no suspicious activities linked to NGOs between 2010 and 2020, with illegal mining and organized crime identified as the primary culprits instead.
Critics argue that if the Congress genuinely aimed to tackle money laundering, it should focus on illegal mining and organized crime rather than limiting the effectiveness of civil society. Furthermore, President Boluarte’s prior failure to veto bills that compromise the rule of law raises concerns about her commitment to democracy.
Furthermore, the current bill contravenes international human rights law, which mandates governments to limit rights only when necessary and proportionate. The broad provisions of this law could easily inhibit the operations of independent media and civil society organizations, raising alarms among human rights advocates about potential governmental overreach.
Overall, the situation demands urgent attention to protect the rights of civil society and maintain democratic integrity in Peru.
The recommendation for President Dina Boluarte to veto the newly passed bill by Congress highlights the potential threats to independent journalism and civil society in Peru. With ambiguous provisions empowering governmental control over foreign-funded organizations, there is a substantial risk of undermining constitutional rights and international human rights standards. The situation reflects a concerning trend in limiting the freedoms essential for a functioning democracy, necessitating immediate action to preserve civil liberties.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
