Thank you, Mr President,
The United Kingdom welcomes the commitment of the new President of Peru to unity, inclusion and dialogue, and the bid made last year to join this Council in 2024-26.
However, we are concerned about reports of abuses by the police and armed forces during the recent protests in Peru. We call on the Government of Peru to intensify its efforts to ensure a proportional and legal response to protests, and the protection of human rights, even in the face of violence, vandalism and attacks, which are unacceptable and have no place in peaceful protest.
We continue to urge immediate and impartial investigations into allegations of abuses and disproportionate action. We ask that the Government of Peru takes swift action to build confidence by demonstrating that anyone responsible will be held accountable. We welcome the visit of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and work of the OHCHR. The United Kingdom stands with the people of Peru in support of their democracy.
We recommend that Peru:
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Adopt regulatory measures to grant women and girls access to safe and legal abortion, especially on health grounds and for victims of rape.
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Strengthen multiagency actions aimed at preventing and eradicating gender-based violence, including through capacity building for public servants providing services and justice for survivors of gender-based violence.
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Strengthen institutional capacity to ensure the protection of Human Rights Defenders living in indigenous communities, especially through the Ministry of Interior.
Thank you, Mr President.
