Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 42nd Session

Universal Periodic Review of Peru

Statement by Australia

25 January 2023

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia commends Peru for its progress on human rights since its last UPR appearance including the development of the National Multisectoral Human Rights Policy, the National Human Rights Action Plan, and the Protocol of Human Rights Defenders (2019) to promote coordinated actions to address inequality and discrimination. We encourage continued budget measures to support the protections enabled by the improved legal framework.

We welcome Peru’s efforts to provide legal recognition of land and forest rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are concerned by the recent escalation of violence and loss of life in Peru and urge authorities to abide by human rights obligations, to refrain from violence and to promote dialogue.

Australia recommends that Peru:

1. Strengthen laws to protect LGBTI persons from discrimination and violence, including gender-based violence
2. Implement additional targets to increase positive outcomes for Indigenous title claims, including for Indigenous communities in remote areas.
3. Take steps to prevent excessive use of force by police to enable Peruvian people to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly, and to freedom of opinion and expression.

[180 words]