Silenced in Peru: When Defending Human Rights Becomes a Crime

“It’s like a gag order.”

That’s how Pilar  García, country representative for Cuso International in Peru, describes a new law in that country that targets non-profit organizations to prevent them from supporting projects that promote human rights, gender equality or LGBTQ+.

The new law, which went into effect in April, expands the powers of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) so it can limit the operations of non-profit organizations that are deemed to be too critical of the unpopular conservative government, including the president and congress.

Before the new law was enacted, Cuso in Peru had no problem reporting about finances and projects to APCI, Pilar said.

But now Cuso’s projects in that country are limited by the law, which makes illegal any activity that is deemed to be against public order.

“It’s very ambiguous,” Pilar noted. “What is a definition of public order? And what does it mean to go against it? It could be many things . . . it’s hard to know how to go forward.”

Especially troubling for her is how the new law affects Indigenous people, women, refugees and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“These are the most underserved and vulnerable in the country,” Pilar said, adding the new law makes it a serious offense for NGOs like Cuso to support human rights complaints brought by members of these groups against the government.

Of the backers of the law, Pilar thinks “they may be trying to protect themselves,” she said, adding women who were sterilized without their consent and families of those who were injured or killed because of past government policies could be blocked from access to justice or compensation.

“This could mean these women and families never get the recognition and reparation they deserve,” she shared, adding that if Cuso or other international development groups advocate on their behalf they could be fined almost $1 million CAD or be shut down.

At the same time, the new law may prevent Cuso from providing financial support for some Indigenous women’s groups since it requires all non-profits to be registered with the government – something these groups refuse to do since they see themselves as the original inhabitants of the land.

“Without Cuso and other NGO support, they won’t be able to continue,” Pilar said.

Canadians who want to do something about the situation in Peru can contact their Members of Parliament to let them know they are concerned, Pilar says.

“Canadians can show the world what is happening here,” she says. “They can help be our voice when our voice is being silenced.”

For Nicolas Moyer, CEO of Cuso, the increasing restrictions facing the organization in its efforts to support human rights defenders in Peru is not isolated. “In many countries where we work civil society organizations are experiencing challenging times as governments clamp down on free speech and human rights. Canadians need to be aware of what is happening to human rights defenders around the world.  They can show their support and make a difference by donating to Cuso’s work in places like Peru.”