WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, expressed concerns over legislative proposals in the Peruvian Congress that could curtail the work of civil society organizations receiving international cooperation funds, including proposed amendments to the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) law. These measures are part of a broader trend in Peru's Congress, which has recently passed legislation weakening accountability for serious human rights violations.
“The broad and vague language of these proposed civil society bills risks chilling free speech and undermining democracy. If enacted in its current form, these measures would betray Peru’s longstanding democratic traditions and the values it has long upheld. For nearly 200 years, Peru has been a reliable U.S. partner, and we are committed to ensuring that remains the case. However, the passage of these bills – alongside recent troubling steps by Peru's Congress to narrow the definition of organized crime, weaken independent institutions, and obstruct investigations into crimes against humanity – would jeopardize that important partnership.
“Freedom of association and expression are cornerstones of a strong democracy. We urge members of the Peruvian Congress to stop undermining civil society and abandoning the principles of democracy. The Biden administration and incoming Trump administration must prioritize anti-corruption and human rights in U.S.-Peru relations, and ensure officials who violate democratic values are held accountable.”
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