UN experts urge reversal of disciplinary actions against judges applying international human rights law: Peru
UN human rights experts have called on Peru to halt disciplinary proceedings against judges who applied international human rights law in cases involving serious abuses. In a statement issued from Geneva on June 26, 2026, the experts warned that punishing judges for upholding international law undermines judicial independence and sets back victims’ access to justice. They voiced support for Judges Richard Concepción Carhuancho and Víctor Chávez Tamariz, as well as Supreme Court judges who ruled in a major forced-sterilization case, for affirming that crimes against humanity are not subject to statutory limitations.
The disputes stem from two recent Peruvian laws — one imposing time limits on prosecuting crimes against humanity and war crimes, and another granting amnesty to security forces — both criticized by the UN. Many judges have rejected amnesty and prescription requests by applying international law, but those decisions are now being scrutinized by the National Justice Board, the country’s main oversight body for justice officials. The experts urged the Board to stop pursuing what they described as politically motivated proceedings, stressing that judges should not be sanctioned for fulfilling their professional duties and that amnesties are not permissible for crimes against humanity.