Join the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), and the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) for the following discussion on the achievements, risks, and challenges in the fight against corruption and impunity in Peru:
Peru’s Presidential Elections:
Is the Fight Against Corruption and Impunity in Jeopardy?
On June 6, Peruvians will go back to the polls to elect a president for the next five years. Whatever the outcome, there are pressing questions about the fight against corruption and impunity, the protection of the rights of victims, and how to preserve the achievements of those efforts.
Serious concerns abound regarding the future of the fight against corruption and impunity in Peru. During the 20 years since the transition to democracy—after ten years of the dictatorship of Alberto Fujimori—Peru has made notable progress. The trial and conviction of former President Alberto Fujimori for serious human rights violations and corruption, as well as the conviction of other high-ranking military officials and businessmen, among others, for corruption are testaments to this progress. However, Peru now faces elections in which there are important questions about the candidates’ commitment to fighting corruption and impunity.
Pedro Castillo, a schoolteacher from the leftist Peru Libre party, catapulted to a first round lead due to his emphasis on changing the current neoliberal model. Polls indicate that Castillo holds a slight edge over third-time presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori of the hard-right Fuerza Popular, whose law-and-order candidacy evokes the authoritarian rule of her father, Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000). Both candidates have sparked concerns regarding their commitment to keeping Peru on course in its battle against corruption. In the case of Castillo, the head of Peru Libre, Vladimir Cerrón, was convicted on corruption charges. In the case of Fujimori, prosecutors have formally charged her with money laundering and, arguing that she served as the head of a criminal organization, are seeking a 30-year prison term. Dozens of Fujimori’s close advisors as well as her husband also face corruption charges. Fujimori has also promised to pardon her father, who is serving a 25-year sentence for grave violations of human rights.
As Peru’s elections approach, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), and the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) are hosting an event to highlight achievements, risks, and challenges in the fight against corruption and impunity in Peru.
Watch the recording of the event here.
Event Details:
Thursday, June 3, 2021
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. (Washington, D.C.)
3:00 pm. – 4:15 p.m. (Lima)
Panelists:
Gino Costa
Congressman of the Republic of Peru
Gisela Ortiz
Representative of Relatives of Victims of La Cantuta Massacre
Romina Mella
Investigative Journalist, IDL-Reporteros
Ursula Indacochea
Program Director, DPLF
Moderator:
Senior Fellow, WOLA
Simultaneous interpretation from Spanish to English will only be available via Zoom. This event will be livestreamed in WOLA’s YouTube page.