Lawyers representing victims of human rights abuses during Peru’s armed conflict have vowed to appeal to international bodies to overturn an amnesty law passed by Congress last week. The legislation grants amnesty to members of the armed forces, national police, and local self-defence committees prosecuted for serious human rights violations committed between 1980 and 2000.

The new law provides a humanitarian amnesty to those over 70 who have been sentenced or served prison terms. A coalition of human rights organisations warns that it could nullify 156 convictions and halt prosecutions in another 600 cases.

A truth commission found that the majority of the conflict’s victims were Indigenous Peruvians caught between security forces and the Shining Path insurgents. The commission estimated that around 70,000 people were killed during the conflict.

Supporters of the law come from right-wing political parties that have historically defended the military, including the Popular Force party, led by Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori.

The law now awaits action from President Dina Boluarte, who may sign it, return it to Congress with comments, or let it become law automatically after two weeks. Boluarte has yet to comment on the amnesty, including prior to its passage.

HRW