Families of Victims Condemn Peruvian Ombudsman Ahead of Key Ibero-American Congress
Families of victims of human rights abuses in Peru have formally denounced Ombudsman Walter Gutiérrez for endorsing laws perceived to promote impunity for these offenses. This denunciation was made public ahead of the 29th Congress and the 30th Assembly of the Ibero-American Federation of Ombudspersons (FIO), scheduled to take place in Peru from October 6 to 11, reports 24brussels.
The relatives expressed their concerns in a letter addressed to Raquel Caballero, the president of FIO, urging her to reconsider Gutiérrez’s candidacy for re-election at the close of the event. They contend that his support for legislation undermines justice for victims of state-attributed crimes.
During discussions regarding a controversial law, Carlos Fernández Millán, Deputy for Human Rights at the Ombudsman’s Office, acknowledged past opposition to amnesty laws related to the fight against terrorism. However, he asserted that “many years have passed and this situation must be resolved once and for all,” as stated in the families’ letter.
The victims’ families accused the Ombudsman’s Office of neglecting their rights and attempting to exert influence through a constitutional challenge aimed at enforcing the amnesty law, which courts have previously rejected on human rights grounds. “We categorically reject any claim before the Constitutional Court that seeks to declare these unjust laws constitutional, harming families who demand justice as a right,” they stated.
Those related to the disappeared and victims of the violent conflicts of the 1990s lamented that numerous institutions tasked with safeguarding their rights appear to be under the control of political parties prioritizing their own interests over those of the victims. This dynamic, they argue, severely damages institutional credibility and public trust in the justice system.
As the FIO Congress approaches, the implications of these tensions highlight the ongoing struggle for justice in Peru, where the specter of past political violence continues to influence current human rights discourse.
Continuing to address these issues will be crucial in determining the future of human rights protections in the country, as advocates push for accountability and genuine reform amidst a backdrop of entrenched political interests.