Argentina faces international backlash over proposed false report penalties

A legislative proposal by Senator Carolina Losada to increase penalties for false reports of gender-based violence and false testimony is facing significant international opposition. The Organization of American States (OAS) Committee of Experts has warned that the initiative could cause Argentina to violate international treaties, specifically the Belém do Pará Convention, potentially triggering international responsibility for the state.

The project, which has the support of President Javier Milei, seeks to toughen punishments for false reports. In an attempt to advance the bill through the Senate, Losada has modified the text to remove explicit references to gender violence, instead expanding the increased penalties to all “serious intentional crimes” or those involving “vulnerable” victims. This includes a potential six-year prison sentence for reports that result in the restriction of family or property rights.

Human rights organizations, including ELA and CELSE, have criticized the reform, noting a paradox where penalties for false reports could become more severe than those currently established for sexual abuse. Critics also argue the law could discourage victims from reporting crimes and grant excessive judicial discretion, noting that official data indicates false reports represent only 0.09% of criminal cases.