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Put human rights at heart of development, Zeid urges Peru
GENEVA/LIMA (25 October 2017) – Peru has made great strides over the last decade in reducing poverty, but needs to stand up firmly for human rights to ensure its economic model is sustainable and works for the benefit of all, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Tuesday at the end of a two-day visit to the country.
“I welcome Peru’s efforts to fight poverty and exclusion, and its economic progress is undeniable. The country must now consolidate such advances by continuing to strengthen the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” said Zeid, whose visit included meetings with President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, as well as with authorities from Congress and the Judiciary, civil society representatives and the private sector.
“Development, to be truly sustainable, should not leave anyone behind, and should never be at the expense of the rights of some members of society,” the High Commissioner stressed.
While expressing concern about the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights in the country, Zeid said: “Peru has a great opportunity to significantly improve its human rights situation. In this endeavour, it is crucial to recall that international treaties ratified by the country impose obligations not only on the Government but also on Congress, the Judiciary and all State institutions.”
The High Commissioner highlighted the Government’s development of a National Human Rights Action Plan and called for the meaningful participation of all sectors, particularly civil society groups and the Ombudsman’s Office in its elaboration.“It is our sincere hope that the resulting National Action Plan can adequately address Peru’s human rights needs, particularly those of the most vulnerable groups,” he said. Zeid also reiterated the readiness of the UN Human Rights Office, including through its Regional Office for South America, to continue providing support and technical expertise on this and other human rights initiatives.
There has been progress in consulting indigenous peoples on mining, energy and other development projects since the adoption in 2011 of a landmark law, Zeid said, but more needs to be done to ensure they can give their free, prior and informed consent for such projects, in line with international human rights standards.
“Speaking to civil society groups, I heard their burning sense of injustice that decisions affecting people’s land, lives and futures are made by others,” Zeid said, highlighting that dozens of social conflicts and protests erupt each year in Peru, many linked to the mining, oil and logging sectors. “This is why, in my talks with business leaders, I stressed the urgent need for companies to respect the human rights of indigenous peoples, human rights defenders and trade unionists. Meaningful consultation and dialogue do not undermine business, rather they serve to advance the human rights and business agenda.”
Zeid also urged the Government to implement without delay measures to increase the protection of human rights defenders. “Peru is no exception to a trend across the Americas - and indeed the world - of harassment, intimidation and alarming attacks on human rights activists,” he noted.
The implementation of the 2016 legal framework and national plan to search for people missing between 1980 and 2000 is also urgent, the High Commissioner said.
“Such steps are vital to help Peru come to terms with its painful past that saw so much suffering and bloodshed, but I am concerned that the recommendations made more than a decade ago by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have to date been insufficiently implemented,” he said.
“The high level of impunity for violations committed during this period is deeply troubling. The needs of victims and their relatives must be addressed, including their right to truth, justice and reparations. In addition, resources must be made available to ensure that the search for the missing can be fully carried out.”
Zeid also heard concerns about the possibility of a presidential pardon for former President Alberto Fujimori, who was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison for very serious human rights violations. “Fujimori was convicted of crimes amounting to crimes against humanity, that is, crimes of interest to the international community as a whole. The international community must be approached and engaged in this highly important matter,” the High Commissioner recalled.
With women and girls at high risk of gender-based violence in Peru, the passing of laws designed to prevent and punish such violence, including domestic violence and femicide, is important, Zeid noted. Nevertheless, rigorous implementation and strong preventive measures are also required, because in too many cases the perpetrator escapes punishment. “I urge the Government to address the social and cultural attitudes that continue to be used to justify violence against women,” the High Commissioner said.
Zeid also called for improvements in the area of sexual and reproductive rights of women. The recent amendments by Congress to measures aimed at promoting gender equality and LGBTI rights were a “setback,” he added.
The High Commissioner welcomed Peru’s election as a Member State of the UN Human Rights Council. “I look forward to Peru’s full cooperation with the Council by upholding the highest human rights standards for the world, which must also be pursued at the national level,” he said.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva: Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 97 67 / rcolville@ohchr.org), or Liz Throssell (+41 22 917 94 66 / ethrossell@ohchr.org)
Travelling with the High Commissioner: Maria Jeanette Moya (+56979997907 / mmoya@ohchr.org)
Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.
Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
“I welcome Peru’s efforts to fight poverty and exclusion, and its economic progress is undeniable. The country must now consolidate such advances by continuing to strengthen the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” said Zeid, whose visit included meetings with President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, as well as with authorities from Congress and the Judiciary, civil society representatives and the private sector.
“Development, to be truly sustainable, should not leave anyone behind, and should never be at the expense of the rights of some members of society,” the High Commissioner stressed.
While expressing concern about the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights in the country, Zeid said: “Peru has a great opportunity to significantly improve its human rights situation. In this endeavour, it is crucial to recall that international treaties ratified by the country impose obligations not only on the Government but also on Congress, the Judiciary and all State institutions.”
The High Commissioner highlighted the Government’s development of a National Human Rights Action Plan and called for the meaningful participation of all sectors, particularly civil society groups and the Ombudsman’s Office in its elaboration.“It is our sincere hope that the resulting National Action Plan can adequately address Peru’s human rights needs, particularly those of the most vulnerable groups,” he said. Zeid also reiterated the readiness of the UN Human Rights Office, including through its Regional Office for South America, to continue providing support and technical expertise on this and other human rights initiatives.
There has been progress in consulting indigenous peoples on mining, energy and other development projects since the adoption in 2011 of a landmark law, Zeid said, but more needs to be done to ensure they can give their free, prior and informed consent for such projects, in line with international human rights standards.
“Speaking to civil society groups, I heard their burning sense of injustice that decisions affecting people’s land, lives and futures are made by others,” Zeid said, highlighting that dozens of social conflicts and protests erupt each year in Peru, many linked to the mining, oil and logging sectors. “This is why, in my talks with business leaders, I stressed the urgent need for companies to respect the human rights of indigenous peoples, human rights defenders and trade unionists. Meaningful consultation and dialogue do not undermine business, rather they serve to advance the human rights and business agenda.”
Zeid also urged the Government to implement without delay measures to increase the protection of human rights defenders. “Peru is no exception to a trend across the Americas - and indeed the world - of harassment, intimidation and alarming attacks on human rights activists,” he noted.
The implementation of the 2016 legal framework and national plan to search for people missing between 1980 and 2000 is also urgent, the High Commissioner said.
“Such steps are vital to help Peru come to terms with its painful past that saw so much suffering and bloodshed, but I am concerned that the recommendations made more than a decade ago by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have to date been insufficiently implemented,” he said.
“The high level of impunity for violations committed during this period is deeply troubling. The needs of victims and their relatives must be addressed, including their right to truth, justice and reparations. In addition, resources must be made available to ensure that the search for the missing can be fully carried out.”
Zeid also heard concerns about the possibility of a presidential pardon for former President Alberto Fujimori, who was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison for very serious human rights violations. “Fujimori was convicted of crimes amounting to crimes against humanity, that is, crimes of interest to the international community as a whole. The international community must be approached and engaged in this highly important matter,” the High Commissioner recalled.
With women and girls at high risk of gender-based violence in Peru, the passing of laws designed to prevent and punish such violence, including domestic violence and femicide, is important, Zeid noted. Nevertheless, rigorous implementation and strong preventive measures are also required, because in too many cases the perpetrator escapes punishment. “I urge the Government to address the social and cultural attitudes that continue to be used to justify violence against women,” the High Commissioner said.
Zeid also called for improvements in the area of sexual and reproductive rights of women. The recent amendments by Congress to measures aimed at promoting gender equality and LGBTI rights were a “setback,” he added.
The High Commissioner welcomed Peru’s election as a Member State of the UN Human Rights Council. “I look forward to Peru’s full cooperation with the Council by upholding the highest human rights standards for the world, which must also be pursued at the national level,” he said.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Geneva: Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 97 67 / rcolville@ohchr.org), or Liz Throssell (+41 22 917 94 66 / ethrossell@ohchr.org)
Travelling with the High Commissioner: Maria Jeanette Moya (+56979997907 / mmoya@ohchr.org)
Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.
Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights
Zeid insta a Perú a poner los derechos humanos al centro del desarrollo
GINEBRA/LIMA (25 de octubre de 2017) - Perú ha logrado grandes avances en la última década en la reducción de la pobreza, pero debe defender firmemente los derechos humanos para garantizar que su modelo económico sea sostenible y funcione en beneficio de todas las personas, comentó el martes el Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, al concluir una visita de dos días al país.
"Celebro los esfuerzos de Perú para luchar contra la pobreza y la exclusión, y sus progresos económicos son innegables. El país debe ahora consolidar tales avances, continuando con el fortalecimiento del estado de derecho y la protección de los derechos humanos", manifestó Zeid, cuya visita incluyó reuniones con el Presidente Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, así como con autoridades del Congreso y el Poder Judicial, representantes de la sociedad civil y del sector privado.
"Para que sea realmente sostenible, el desarrollo no debe dejar a nadie atrás, y nunca debe ocurrir a expensas de los derechos de algunos integrantes de la sociedad", subrayó el Alto Comisionado.
Junto con expresar preocupación por los impactos negativos de la corrupción en el disfrute de los derechos humanos en el país, el Alto Comisionado dijo que “Perú tiene una gran oportunidad para mejorar su situación de derechos humanos de manera considerable. En este cometido, resulta crucial recordar que los tratados internacionales ratificados por el país imponen obligaciones no solo al gobierno sino también al Poder Legislativo, el Poder Judicial y, en definitiva, a todas las instituciones del Estado”.
El Alto Comisionado destacó que el gobierno está desarrollando un Plan Nacional de Acción en Derechos Humanos y pidió una participación significativa de todos los sectores, especialmente las organizaciones de la sociedad civil y la Defensoría del Pueblo en su proceso de elaboración. “Esperamos sinceramente que el Plan Nacional de Acción resultante pueda abordar en forma adecuada las necesidades de derechos humanos en Perú, y en especial aquellas de los grupos más vulnerables”. Él también reiteró la disposición de la Oficina de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, incluyendo a través de su Oficina Regional para América del Sur, para continuar brindando su apoyo y asistencia técnica en esta y otras iniciativas de derechos humanos.
Ha habido progresos en consultar a los pueblos indígenas sobre asuntos relacionados a la minería, energía y otros proyectos de desarrollo desde la adopción en 2011 de una histórica ley, expresó Zeid, pero se necesita hacer más para garantizar que puedan dar su consentimiento libre, previo e informado para tales proyectos, en línea con los estándares internacionales de derechos humanos.
"Hablando con representantes de la sociedad civil, escuché una fuerte sensación de injusticia al ver que las decisiones que afectan las tierras, las vidas y el futuro de los pueblos indígenas son tomadas por otros", dijo Zeid, destacando que cada año en Perú surgen docenas s de conflictos sociales y protestas, muchos de los cuales están vinculados a sectores mineros, petroleros y madereros.
"Es por eso que en mis conversaciones con líderes empresariales enfaticé en la necesidad urgente de que las empresas respeten los derechos humanos de los pueblos indígenas, de las defensoras y los defensores de derechos humanos y de los líderes sindicales. Las consultas y diálogos significativos no socavan los negocios, sino que sirven para avanzar en los derechos humanos y la agenda de negocios."
Zeid también instó al gobierno a implementar sin demora medidas para aumentar la protección de las y los defensores de derechos humanos. "Perú no es una excepción a la tendencia en las Américas, y de hecho en todo el mundo, de hostigamiento, intimidación y ataques alarmantes en contra de activistas de derechos humanos", señaló.
La implementación del marco legal y del plan nacional de 2016 para la búsqueda de personas desaparecidas entre 1980 y 2000 es también urgente, dijo el Alto Comisionado. "Estos pasos son vitales para ayudar a Perú a superar su doloroso pasado de sufrimiento y derramamiento de sangre, pero me preocupa que las recomendaciones realizadas hace más de una década atrás por la Comisión de la Verdad y la Reconciliación se hayan implementado de manera insuficiente", destacó.
"El alto nivel de impunidad por las violaciones cometidas durante este período es profundamente preocupante. Deben abordarse las necesidades de las víctimas y sus familiares, incluidos su derecho a la verdad, la justicia y la reparación. Además, los recursos deben estar disponibles para garantizar que la búsqueda de los desaparecidos se pueda completar".
Zeid también escuchó preocupaciones sobre la posibilidad de un indulto presidencial para el expresidente Alberto Fujimori, quien fue sentenciado en 2009 a 25 años de prisión por muy serias violaciones a los derechos humanos. El Alto Comisionado recordó que “Fujimori fue condenado por delitos que constituyen crímenes contra la humanidad, es decir, crímenes que son del interés de la comunidad internacional en su conjunto. La comunidad internacional debe ser involucrada en este tema tan importante”.
Sobre mujeres y niñas en alto riesgo de violencia de género en Perú, la aprobación de leyes diseñadas para prevenir y castigar dicha violencia -incluida la violencia doméstica y el feminicidio- es importante, dijo Zeid. Sin embargo, Zeid agregó que también son necesarias una implementación rigurosa y fuertes medidas preventivas, pues en demasiados casos, el perpetrador escapa del castigo. “Insto al Gobierno a abordar las actitudes sociales y culturales que se siguen utilizando para justificar la violencia contra la mujer ", declaró el Alto Comisionado.
Zeid también llamó a introducir mejoras en el ámbito de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos de las mujeres. Asimismo, agregó que las recientes enmiendas introducidas en el Congreso a medidas que buscan promover la igualdad de género y los derechos de las personas LGBTI representan “un revés".
Por último, el Alto Comisionado saludó la elección de Perú como Estado Miembro del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU. "Espero con interés que Perú coopere plenamente con el Consejo, manteniendo los más altos estándares de derechos humanos frente el mundo, lo que también debe perseguirse a nivel nacional", enfatizó.
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