Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has signed a law granting amnesty to police officers, military personnel, and members of civilian self-defense committees involved in counterterrorism activities during the country’s prolonged conflict against leftist guerilla groups. This legislation would only apply to things done from 1980 to 2000. In that context, violence resulted in over 69,000 estimated deaths, according to Peru’s truth commission.
The recently enacted law provides amnesty to those over 70 years of age already incarcerated. There are exceptions for those convicted of terrorism or public corruption. The law’s intent is to actively protect those that defended our country from terrorist attacks. It uniquely distinguishes the infamous guerilla movements of the Shining Path and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement.
Dina Boluarte, highlighting the law’s purpose during a public declaration, claimed that the law should be a message of reconciliation.
“Let this amnesty be a message of peace, not division. It’s time to turn the page and close that nefarious and bloody chapter that terrorism represented.” – Peruvian President Dina Boluarte
Enrique Alcántara, the Justice Minister, gave an impassioned defense of the legislation. He conferred that it has not fostered impunity and is an essential move towards healing a country that has suffered greatly from war. He stated that more than 1,000 individuals are currently under prosecution or investigation for their actions during the fight against terrorism.
The new law has created a storm of controversy and alarmed human rights advocates. Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, raised her concerns about the amnesty and its potential repercussions. She denounced the legislation, arguing it will roll back years of progress to make sure accountability is a reality for victims of past atrocities.
“(The law) undermines decades of efforts to ensure accountability for atrocities and weakens the country’s rule of law even further.” – Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch
As Peru continues to figure out its difficult historical story, response to the amnesty is divided. Others believe it is an important step on the road to national reconciliation. Some fear it would erode accountability and justice for victims of historic wrongs. Even today, the conversation around this divisive law reveals the insurmountable task that Peru has in reconciling with the legacy that its violent past still lords over it.
