Peru Limits Prosecution for Past Crimes Favoring Fujimori

LIMA, Peru (AP) — In a significant legal move, Peru's government has enacted a law that prevents the prosecution of crimes against humanity committed prior to 2002. This decision is seen as a major advantage for former President Alberto Fujimori and numerous military personnel facing investigations for atrocities during the country’s internal conflict from 1980 to 2000. The law was promulgated without comments from President Dina Boluarte, despite a July ruling from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights urging the government to annul the bill due to its violation of international law. The United Nations has condemned the enactment of this law, with UN human rights chief Volker Türk stating that it undermines Peru's obligations under international law. He emphasized that crimes against humanity and war crimes are among the gravest violations and should not be subject to amnesties or statutes of limitations. Türk's statement highlighted the need for accountability for those responsible for such atrocities, reflecting a broader concern regarding the erosion of human rights and the rule of law in Peru. According to estimates from the Peruvian prosecutor’s office, the new legislation will directly affect around 550 victims and 600 cases, leading to the dismissal or archiving of numerous investigations and judicial processes. Experts suggest that this law particularly benefits Fujimori, who was sentenced in 2009 for human rights abuses and is currently facing a trial related to the murder of six peasants in 1992, where prosecutors are seeking a 25-year sentence.