Peruvian President Dina Boluarte is urged to veto a newly passed bill that threatens the operation of independent journalists and civil society organizations by expanding government control over foreign funding. Human Rights Watch criticizes the bill as part of a pattern of actions undermining democracy and human rights in Peru. The law’s vague language may lead to arbitrary penalties against dissenters, thereby jeopardizing judicial independence and freedom of expression.
The recent bill passed by the Peruvian Congress, which seeks to restrict independent journalists and civil society organizations, has drawn critical attention from Human Rights Watch. President Dina Boluarte is urged to veto this legislation, which expands governmental control over entities receiving foreign funding, potentially penalizing groups that scrutinize governmental policies. The vague language of the bill aligns with a broader trend of undermining democratic institutions in Peru.
This legislative move grants the government the authority to oppose and terminate funding for projects reliant on external financial support. Furthermore, it stipulates that “misuse” of these funds includes actions taken against the state in judicial settings, putting human rights cases at risk. Additionally, the bill mandates transparency regarding the addresses and initiatives of funded groups, escalating concerns about intimidation from right-wing factions towards journalists and human rights defenders.
The ramifications of the bill come at a crucial time as cuts to foreign aid, influenced by US policy changes, affect various non-governmental organizations in Peru. Despite assertions from Congress regarding concerns over financial misconduct, reports indicate a lack of suspicious transactions related to NGOs, highlighting a potential misdirection of legislative focus that has instead targeted organized crime and illegal mining.
President Boluarte has previously refrained from vetoing other significant bills that jeopardize judicial integrity and democracy in Peru. Notably, she did not oppose measures that potentially obscure investigations into serious human rights abuses or redefine “organized crime” in ways that hinder prosecutorial effectiveness.
International law stipulations, under treaties that Peru has ratified, prescribe that any limitations on freedoms of expression and association must serve compelling purposes and remain minimally intrusive. The newly approved law is misaligned with these principles, threatening to suppress the valuable roles of civil society and media organizations.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes that while states may regulate civil organizations against financial malfeasance, the current law extends beyond acceptable governance and poses severe risks to those who critique the government and advocate for human rights, suggesting it may lead to silencing dissent in Peru.
In summary, the legislative action taken by the Peruvian Congress poses significant threats to the work of independent journalists and civil society organizations. President Boluarte is faced with a critical decision to veto the bill, which displays authoritarian tendencies and infringes on fundamental rights. The potential for misuse of the vague provisions in the bill raises grave concerns about the erosion of democratic values and human rights protections in Peru, necessitating conscientious governance that upholds the rule of law.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
