IACHR to Conduct Observation Visit to Peru

January 9, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) plans to visit Peru to observe on site the situation of human rights in the context of the institutional crisis and the social protests that have been ongoing in the country since early December 2022. The visit is to take place January 11–13. The plan is to visit Lima and other cities to hold meetings and discussions with and gather information from various sectors.

The delegation is to be led by the IACHR's First Vice-President, Commissioner Stuardo Ralón, who is also the Commission's Rapporteur for Peru. The IACHR delegation will also include Commissioner Joel Hernández; María Claudia Pulido, who is the IACHR's Assistant Executive Secretary for Monitoring, Promotion, and Technical Cooperation; the IACHR's Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Pedro Vaca; and members of the Executive Secretariat's technical staff. The Commission is set to meet with public authorities, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. In the exercise of its mandate, the IACHR plans to publish its observations and conclusions from this visit and to make recommendations to the Peruvian State.

The IACHR notes that it will only accept information submitted electronically, which should be sent to CIDHDenuncias@oas.org. All new requests for petitions or precautionary measures must be filed through the applicable online portal (for technical support concerning the IACHR Portal, please contact CIDHPortal@oas.org).

During its visit, the Commission will seek to listen to victims of human rights violations and their families, to hear their testimony, complaints, and allegations. All people interested in presenting their testimony will need to complete this form and to follow the instructions provided in it. There is limited capacity, and only registered applicants who receive a confirmed appointment (complete with a date, time, and place) will be received. However, the Commission stresses its commitment to listening to all people and will continue to gather information after this visit, through its standard monitoring tools.

The Commission commends the State of Peru on its openness to cooperate and engage in talks in the context of its human rights obligations with regard to the Inter-American System. The IACHR thanks the State for its willingness to host the Commission's delegation.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

This press release was edited on January 10, 2023.

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