Peru’s mass protests have become a human rights crisis. Following the controversial and abrupt removal of former President Pedro Castillo in early December, the country has descended into major political turmoil and spiraling state violence. At least 39 people have been killed at the hands of the state.
As former President Castillo remains in detention, awaiting trial, the Peruvian Congress unilaterally appointed Dina Boluarte as caretaker President. In response, a diverse coalition of social movements, led by Indigenous peoples, peasant, LGBTQI+, student and worker organisations took to the streets to demand fair elections and a new constitution. The protests also reflect widespread discontent over the mass-impoverishment and social exclusion of vast sectors of society, especially Indigenous communities.
Boluarte's caretaker government has met this mass mobilisation with brutal repression, criminalisation, and grave human rights violations. Most of those killed have been from impoverished Indigenous communities.
Peru's economic and political elites and the corporate media, based in Lima, have been dismissive of the Indigenous-led protests — labelling protesters as ‘terrorists’ to justify the state’s repressive measures and human rights abuses.
Despite all of this, social movements are continuing their popular protests with calls for dignity, democracy, peace and justice. Will you take action today and demand that Peruvians’ right to protest is respected — and their voices heard?
