Lawyers for victims of human rights abuses during Peru’s armed conflict vowed to appeal to international bodies Thursday to knock down an amnesty law passed by the country’s Congress the previous night. Congress passed the legislation late Wednesday to provide amnesty for military members and civilians prosecuted for serious human rights abuses during the country’s armed conflict between 1980 and 2000. A coalition of human rights organizations said the new law could wipe out 156 convictions and another 600 cases that are being prosecuted.
Supporters of the law come from right wing political parties that have historically defended the military, including the Popular Force party led by Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori. The law now awaits action from President Dina Boluarte, who can sign it, return it to Congress with her comments or let it become law in two weeks without touching it. Boluarte has not made any comment on the amnesty, even before its passage.
There have been numerous attempts in recent years to shield the military and police from prosecution in Peru for crimes committed during the conflict. But opponents of amnesty in Peru have found success before at international bodies. Human rights advocates believe that Peru’s membership in the Inter-American System of Human Rights and the obligations that entails, make the amnesty law unconstitutional.
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