The
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed its concern about developments that could negatively impact the independence of Peru's electoral and judicial bodies, key institutions for the separation of powers, and the functioning of democracy in the country.
In its report on social protests that occurred in Peru between December 2022 and March 2023, the Office stated that it is a matter of deep concern that the electoral bodies in charge of organizing and certifying elections, the
National Elections Board (JNE) and the
National Office of Electoral Procedures (ONPE), have faced repeated attempts by Congress to interfere with their composition provided for in the Constitution.
The document indicates that since late February, Congress has introduced six separate bills to amend the Constitution to allow the incumbent heads of election agencies to be "constitutionally impeached" by Congress for alleged constitutional violations (under Articles 99 and 100 of the Constitution), raising concerns about possible interference with their independence.
In addition, it added, the incumbent presidents of electoral bodies have been the target of numerous personal attacks.
According to information gathered by OHCHR, since the 2021 general elections, the head of the National Elections Board has been the victim of 18 cases of attacks and harassment, including 14 protests in front of his home, some of which were carried out by the group "La Resistencia," as well as death threats.
The head of the ONPE has also received numerous attacks on social networks and in front of his home from a disinformation campaign that was initiated during the 2021 general elections.
Through this document, consisting of 54 pages, the OHCHR expresses its concern over various situations affecting human rights in Peru and stability of its democratic institutions.
On the matter, a series of recommendations have been made and it is stated that the OHCHR Peru is available to continue technical cooperation with all stakeholders to advance the prompt and effective implementation of these recommendations.
(END) NDP/JCC/RMB
Publicado: 22/10/2023