Human Rights Watch: Peru radio closure could undermine press freedom

The Peruvian government’s decision this month to revoke the broadcast license of a local radio station “could have a chilling effect on community broadcasting in Peru,” reported Human Rights Watch on Wednesday.
“The timing and circumstances of the revocation suggest that it may have been an act of censorship, or punishment, in response to coverage of [...]

Peru Government adopts conciliatory tone after Amazon clashes

In a conciliatory move, after two months of telling indigenous communities that the government would not review legislation aimed to open up the Peruvian Amazon to more foreign investment, Peru’s Premier Yehude Simon asked Congress to repeal the controversial decrees by June 18.
“I understand that the members of Congress are upset,” said Simon. “But I ask [...]

Minister of Women’s Affairs resigns following violent clashes in Peru’s Amazon

The Minister of Women’s Affairs and Social Development, Carmen Vildoso, resigned from the Cabinet of Peru’s President Alan García late Monday evening, following violent clashes between police and indigenous protesters in Peru’s northern Amazon that left dozens of police and civilians dead.

Indigenous leader granted political asylum by Nicaragua following deadly melee in Peru’s Amazon

Presidential Cabinet Chief Yehude Simon told lawmakers Monday that the leader of Peru’s largest Indigenous federation was holed up in the Nicarguan Embassy, protected by political asylum following a deadly melee with police in Peru’s northern jungle.

No gay police in Peru: homosexuals barred from the police force

To improve the wilting image of Peru’s National Police, Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas put forward a set of new regulations that contain a provision designed to ban homosexuals from the police force.
According to the regulations, which critics label discriminatory and unconstitutional, any police officer who engages in homosexual relations will be immediately and indefinitely suspended [...]

Peru’s Interior Minister resigns, to be replaced by APRA Congresswoman Mercedes Cabanillas

Interior Minister Remigio Hernani Meloni has resigned, citing “personal reasons” and will be replaced by ruling APRA party Congresswoman Mercedes Cabanillas Bustamante, said Peru’s Premier Yehude Simon on Thursday.