Peru\’s president enacts sweeping military crimes amnesty bill into law
Peru’s President Dina Boluarte Addresses Independence Day at the National Congress
July 28, 2025 – Lima – President Dina Boluarte delivered a speech at the National Congress in honor of Independence Day. During the ceremony, she signed a contentious law granting amnesty to military and civilian self‑defense units involved in a violent campaign against the leftist Shining Path guerrillas from 1980 to 2000.
Key Points of the Amnesty Law
- Targeted Personnel – The law covers uniformed forces, police and civilian volunteers accused or convicted of crimes committed during state forces’ operations against the Shining Path and Tupac Amaru rebels.
- Human Rights Context – Official figures estimate that 70,000 people were killed during the 20‑year conflict.
- International Criticism – The Inter‑American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) demanded that Peru immediately suspend the law or, if enacted, refrain from its application while the court examines its effect on victims’ rights.
Boluarte’s Defiance of International Court
President Boluarte criticized the IACHR’s decision, labeling it an affront to Peru’s sovereignty. She declined to consider the court’s demand for an immediate halt.
UN Report and Potential Impact
UN experts released a report urging the government to veto the amnesty law, arguing that Peru bears an international obligation to investigate, prosecute and punish gross human rights violations committed during the conflict.
- Case Coverage – The law could affect 156 closed cases and more than 600 ongoing cases related to crimes committed between 1980 and 2000.
- Statute of Limitations – In August 2024, Peru adopted a statute of limitations for crimes against humanity committed before 2002, effectively shutting down hundreds of investigations into alleged atrocities during the fighting.
- Historical Context – The initiative benefited former President Alberto Fujimori, who was jailed for atrocities—including army massacres—and released from prison in 2023 on humanitarian grounds. It also aided 600 prosecuted military personnel.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Findings
Peru’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission reported that more than 4,000 clandestine graves exist as a result of two decades of political violence.
