IACHR Grants Precautionary Protection Measures in Favor of Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez Gómez and His Immediate Family in Peru

July 26, 2021

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Washington, D.C. — On July 25, 2021, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 55/2021, through which it granted precautionary protection measures in favor of José Domingo Pérez Gómez in Peru, whom it deems to be at serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to his human rights.

When evaluating the petition, the IACHR noted the specific context in which the alleged events have taken place, particularly the ongoing fight against corruption in Peru and the situation in the country during the 2021 elections. With specific regard to Mr. Pérez's situation, the IACHR drew attention to his role as part of a special team at the Attorney General's Office. It also identified that he has been the target of various situations involving risk since at least 2017, which are allegedly tied to his role as a prosecutor and the specific cases he has been investigating. The risk in question has allegedly also affected his immediate family, particularly his wife. The IACHR valued the protection measures implemented by the State, which also provided information in accordance with Article 25 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure. However, it noted that the measures that have been adopted have not mitigated or eliminated the risk faced by the proposed beneficiary.

Consequently, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requested that the State of Peru: a) adopt the necessary measures to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of the people identified as beneficiaries; b) adopt the culturally appropriate measures needed to guarantee that Mr. Pérez can go about his work as a prosecutor without being the target of threats, harassment, or acts of violence in the course of doing so; c) agree on any measures to be implemented in consultation with the beneficiary and his representatives; and d) report on the actions it puts forward to investigate the alleged events that led to the adoption of this precautionary measure so as to prevent them from being repeated.

The IACHR's granting of this precautionary measure and its adoption by the State does not entail a prejudgment on any petition that may eventually be filed before the inter-American system to allege that the rights protected by any applicable instruments have been violated.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 193/21

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