We condemn the Peruvian State’s decision to pay tribute to Alberto Fujimori

• Fujimori was the first president of Peru to be tried in a democracy and sentenced to prison for committing crimes against humanity and serious acts of corruptions that still impact Peru today.
• The honorary funerals and days of mourning held in his honor are an affront to the memory of the victims of the grave crimes he committed during his administration.

Lima, Peru, September 16^th, 2024. – The Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) condemns the Peruvian government’s decision to pay tribute and honor former president Alberto Fujimori following his death on September 11^th, 2024. After the news, the government initiated a protocol to honor his memory which included, among other measures, a public wake at the Museum of the Nation, the lowering of flags to half-staff on public buildings, ships, military bases and diplomatic posts, as well as three days of national mourning.

Given these measures, it is important to remember that Alberto Fujimori was the first president of Peru to be tried in a democracy and sentenced to prison for committing crimes against humanity and very serious acts of corruption, such as forced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial executions, among others. The tributes paid in his name are not only an offense to the victims and relatives of the crimes committed during his government, but also represent an affront to democracy and human rights.

We also consider that these commemorations are a further example of the Peruvian State’s denial of the grave human rights violations committed during the armed conflict in Peru. The Peruvian State has a pending debt to the victims. Despite Fujimori’s death, the State’s obligations to ensure justice, truth, and reparations for the human rights violations that occurred during his government and under his watch remain. It is crucial for democracy and the rule of law to recognize these crimes, provide reparations to the victims, and hold those responsible accountable, in order to prevent such violations from occurring again in the future.

At CEJIL, an organization representing many victims of these atrocious human rights violations during the Fujimori government before the Inter-American System, we stand in solidarity with the victims. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending their human rights in the pursuit of memory, truth and justice.