{"id":95535,"date":"2025-04-24T13:00:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T17:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/?post_type=comunicado-de-prensa&p=95535"},"modified":"2025-04-25T10:20:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T14:20:28","slug":"serious-threat-to-civic-space-in-peru-organizations-condemn-law-that-restricts-the-work-of-civil-society-and-violates-victims-rights","status":"publish","type":"comunicado-de-prensa","link":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/press-releases\/serious-threat-to-civic-space-in-peru-organizations-condemn-law-that-restricts-the-work-of-civil-society-and-violates-victims-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Serious threat to civic space in Peru: organizations condemn law that restricts the work of civil society and violates victims’ rights"},"content":{"rendered":"

April 24, 2025. – The undersigned organizations express our strongest condemnation of the enactment last April 14, 2025, without observation by the Executive Branch of Peru, of the law approved in Congress on March 12, which represents a serious threat to the defense of human rights. <\/span>Likewise, the approval of this law does not comply with Peru\u2019s obligation to guarantee the rights of assembly, association, expression, defense of human rights of the members of civil society organizations, access to justice, and the right to petition before an international body of the victims.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This regulation, which grants broad control powers to the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), imposes a system of prior authorization on the activities of civil society organizations receiving international funding. Moving forward, these organizations must obtain the “prior approval” of the State to implement projects and activities, which subordinate their work to State authorization and directly undermines their autonomy and independence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the law purports that the alleged “improper use” of cooperation funds when used to provide advice; assistance or financing for administrative, judicial or other actions; in national or international instances; and that question the Peruvian State is a “very serious infraction.” In other words, any organization legally representing or supporting individuals or communities affected by human rights violations could be sanctioned. In the case of a serious infraction, the APCI may impose disproportionate economic sanctions of up to 500 Tax Unitary Units (approximately US$720,000) and suspend or cancel the organizations\u2019 registrations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The enactment of this law is part of a troubling regional trend in the closing of civic spaces. Several governments have promoted regulations imposing disproportionate administrative and financial requirements on civic spaces. In addition to restricting funding, these regulations also grant broad control powers to state entities. In direct opposition of promoting transparency, these measures have been used as instruments of censorship and repression. Emblematic cases such as Nicaragua, where thousands of organizations have been outlawed since 2018; Venezuela, with the recent approval of a law granting the government broad powers to dissolve organizations; and Paraguay, with Law No. 7,363 of 2024, which imposes arbitrary restrictions on nonprofit entities, are examples of this trend. In this context, the recently enacted law in Peru adds to a dangerous regional shift that must be immediately addressed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We reiterate our solidarity with the Peruvian organizations that see their existence and important work threatened as a result of this law. We make an urgent call to the international community, to the organs of the Inter-American system and the United Nations, and to the governments of the region to continue to speak out and act in the face of this serious regression. Protecting civic space is essential to guarantee the fundamental rights of all people in Latin America.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Singed by:<\/p>\n