Peru government seeks delegated legislative powers amid environmental concerns

legislative powers environmental defenders indigenous rights congressional investigation Peruvian government

The Peruvian government, led by President Keiko Fujimori, is preparing a bill to request a 120-day delegation of legislative powers from Congress. A leaked draft of the proposal includes measures regarding public security, labor flexibility, administrative simplification, and deregulation. While the draft does not contain a specific environmental section, it includes proposed modifications affecting mining, hydrocarbons, and protected natural areas, sparking concerns within the environmental sector.

Separately, Deputy Giannina Avendaño of Juntos por el Perú has proposed the creation of a congressional investigative commission to examine the state's response to the killings of indigenous and environmental leaders. The initiative seeks to determine if government agencies acted sufficiently to protect human rights defenders against threats and homicides, specifically citing cases in Ashaninka territory and the 2023 murder of Quinto Inuma Alvarado.