Amnesty International Condemns Peru's Amnesty Law as a Betrayal of International Human Rights

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the enactment of a law in Peru that grants amnesty to perpetrators of crimes under international law, as well as the release of individuals over the age of 70 who have received a final sentence or are having their sentence executed. This law is seen as a serious setback for human rights and sets a dangerous precedent, allowing those responsible for crimes against humanity and serious human rights violations to regain their freedom.

The law affects at least 156 cases where a final sentence has been issued, including the 1984 Putis massacre in Ayacucho, where 123 people were killed, including children and adolescents. Amnesty International emphasizes that amnesties are inadmissible under international law in cases of serious human rights violations or crimes under international law, such as those committed in Peru between 1980 and 2000. These crimes include enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture, and sexual violence.

The organization warns that the legislation undermines civic space and access to justice, promoting impunity and authoritarian practices in Peru. Amnesty International stresses the importance of guaranteeing the right to justice, truth, and reparation for victims and society, which can only be achieved by strengthening investigations and punishing those responsible for serious human rights violations.

Key Takeaways:

• Amnesty International rejects the enactment of the law granting amnesty to perpetrators of crimes under international law, which affects at least 156 cases.
• The law allows for the release of individuals over the age of 70 who have received a final sentence or are having their sentence executed.
• The law sets a serious precedent, undermining civic space and access to justice, and promoting impunity and authoritarian practices in Peru.
• Amnesty International emphasizes that amnesties are inadmissible under international law in cases of serious human rights violations or crimes under international law.
• The organization warns of the worrying trend of increasing authoritarian practices and impunity in Peru as a result of legislative actions that undermine international commitments.

Statistics:

• At least 156 cases are affected by the law, including the 1984 Putis massacre in Ayacucho, where 123 people were killed, including children and adolescents.
• Perpetrators of crimes under international law, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture, and sexual violence, may regain their freedom.
• The law undermines civic space and access to justice, promoting impunity and authoritarian practices in Peru.
• Amnesty International emphasizes that cases like Putis in Ayacucho in 1984, where 123 people were killed, must not be forgotten.

Sources:

• Amnesty International rejects the enactment of the law granting amnesty to perpetrators of crimes under international law and allowing for the release of persons over the age of 70 who have received a final sentence or whose sentence is being executed, under the concept of "humanitarian amnesty".
• Amnesty International (n.d.). Amnesty International rejects the enactment of the law granting amnesty to perpetrators of crimes under international law.
• Source: Amnesty International