Judiciary overturns gov’t decision to deport British missionary

A Peruvian court on Tuesday overturned a decision by the Interior Ministry to deport British missionary Paul McAuley, daily El Comercio reported.

“It has been a great surprise this morning to receive notification that recognizes my right to free transit and that I will not be deported for the moment,” said McAuley, a 62-year-old lay activist with the La Salle Christian Brothers who has spent the last 20 years promoting indigenous rights.

McAuley, who is based in Peru’s northern jungle, heads the environmental organization Loreto Environmental Network.

The Interior Ministry informed McAuley two weeks ago that his residency was canceled and gave him seven days to leave Peru. The ministry charged that McAuley violated regulations governing foreign residents by instigating social unrest.

McAuley filed an appeal in the court of Maynas against the decision to deport him. He has received support from the Legal Defense Institute, IDL, the Peruvian Environmental Law Society, SPDA, the Instituto Bartolomé de las Casas, the National Evangelical Council, and the Human Rights Association, Aprodeh.

McAuley said he will continue with his normal work for the moment. “I am relieved and once again I am thankful for all the support from in the country and abroad,” he said.

It was not immediately clear whether the Interior Ministry planned to appeal the court’s ruling.  Presidential Cabinet Chief  Javier Velásquez reportedly reiterated on Tuesday that Peruvian immigration officials had determined McAuley violated regulations governing his residency in Peru, but accepted the court decision overruling the government’s action.