March 8, 2022, Lima Peru—Last week, the Peruvian Constitutional Court declined to recognize the rights of Indigenous people to prior consultation. 

EarthRights International Amazon Program Director Juliana Bravo Valencia issued the following statement: 

“With its latest decision, the Peruvian Constitutional Court has completely disregarded the human rights of Peru’s native and Indigenous communities, particularly the Aymara people, who have asserted their right to free, prior, and informed consultation in regard to extractive projects on their lands. The court’s decision is a major step backward; it ignores the body of constitutional rules and principles that safeguard the rights of Indigenous people in Peru and the constitutional status of Indigenous and tribal peoples. Ultimately, this decision turns back years of progress on human rights, most notably Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization–a global standard for recognizing Indigenous rights, and sets a dangerous precedent for Peruvian communities hoping to have their rights recognized by international courts. 

“EarthRights calls on the national and international community to denounce this ruling. We also urge Peru to comply with its international obligations and uphold the constitutional protections of Indigenous and native peoples.” 

Contact:
Kate Fried, EarthRights International
(202) 257.0057
kate.fried@earthrights.org