CIVICUS, the global alliance for citizen participation, recently sat down with Nadia Ramos Serrano, founder and researcher at the Leadership Centre for Women of the Americas, to discuss the controversial new amnesty law passed by the Peruvian government in August. The law has sparked widespread debate and criticism, with many concerned about its potential impact on human rights and justice in the country.
The new law grants amnesty to military personnel and police officers who have been accused or convicted of human rights violations during the country’s internal armed conflict in the 1980s and 1990s. It also includes provisions for the release of those currently serving prison sentences for these crimes.
For Serrano, who has dedicated her career to promoting democratic development and the role of women in politics, the passing of this law is a major setback for Peru’s progress towards justice and reconciliation.
“This law sends a dangerous message that human rights violations will go unpunished and that those responsible will not be held accountable for their actions,” she says. “It also undermines the efforts of victims and their families to seek justice and closure for the atrocities they have endured.”
The internal armed conflict in Peru, which lasted from 1980 to 2000, resulted in the deaths of over 69,000 people and the disappearance of thousands more. The majority of these victims were indigenous people from rural areas, who were targeted by both state security forces and armed rebel groups.
The passing of the amnesty law has been met with widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and civil society groups, who argue that it goes against international human rights standards and the country’s own constitution. They also point out that it violates Peru’s obligations under international law to investigate and prosecute serious human rights violations.
Serrano and her organization have been at the forefront of the fight against the amnesty law, advocating for the rights of victims and their families and calling for accountability for those responsible for human rights violations.
“We cannot allow impunity to prevail in our country,” she says. “We must continue to demand justice for the victims and ensure that their voices are heard.”
The passing of the amnesty law has also raised concerns about the government’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Critics argue that it is a step backwards for a country that has made significant progress in addressing its past human rights abuses.
In recent years, Peru has taken important steps towards acknowledging and addressing the human rights violations committed during the internal armed conflict. This includes the creation of a truth commission in 2001, which documented the atrocities and recommended measures for reparations and justice.
However, the amnesty law threatens to undermine these efforts and erase the progress that has been made. It also sends a worrying message to other countries in the region that are still grappling with the legacy of past human rights abuses.
Serrano emphasizes the need for civil society to continue to speak out against the amnesty law and hold the government accountable for its actions.
“We must not be silent in the face of injustice,” she says. “We must continue to raise our voices and demand that the government upholds its duty to protect the rights of all citizens, including victims of human rights violations.”
CIVICUS also stands in solidarity with civil society organizations in Peru and calls on the government to repeal the amnesty law and ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families.
As the global alliance for citizen participation, CIVICUS believes in the power of civil society to bring about positive change and hold governments accountable. The organization will continue to support and work with civil society in Peru to promote human rights, democracy, and social justice for all.
In conclusion, the passing of the amnesty law in Peru is a concerning development that threatens to undermine the country’s progress towards justice and reconciliation. It is crucial for civil society to continue to speak out and demand accountability from the government. As Nadia Ramos Serrano and her organization have shown, the fight for justice and human rights is far from over, and we must all stand together in solidarity to ensure that the voices of victims are heard and their rights are protected.
