Peru: Human rights in a time of impunity

Peru: Human rights in a time of impunity

Index Number: AMR 46/001/1996
Date Published: 15 May 1996
Categories: Americas, Peru

In June 1995 Peru's amnesty law was passed which pardoned all members of the security forces and civilian officials for their involvement in human rights violations committed between 1980 and 1995. The effect of the law is that thousands of victims of human rights violations and their relatives are unlikely to know the full truth. This document examines Peru's amnesty and anti-terrorism laws. It discusses unfair trials, prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, torture, the targeting of human rights defenders and abuses by the armed opposition. It concludes by making a series of recommendations to the government of Peru.