Peru’s forced sterilisation policy: A dark chapter in human rights

UN committee highlights the need for accountability in Peru's sterilisation abuses

Peru’s forced sterilisation policy: A dark chapter in human rights
In the 1990s, under the regime of former President Alberto Fujimori, Peru implemented a controversial family planning scheme that resulted in the forced sterilisation of over 300,000 women.

This policy, which primarily targeted rural and indigenous populations, has recently come under scrutiny from the United Nations, which has classified these actions as potential crimes against humanity. The UN committee’s findings shed light on the systemic violations of women’s rights that occurred during this period, raising urgent questions about accountability and justice.

Systematic violations of reproductive rights

The UN committee’s investigation revealed that less than 10% of the women subjected to sterilisation procedures had given their consent. Many victims reported being coerced, misled, or pressured into undergoing these irreversible surgeries, often in clinics that lacked proper medical infrastructure. Leticia Bonifaz, a member of the committee, emphasized that these actions constituted a systematic attack on the reproductive autonomy of rural and indigenous women. The testimonies of survivors paint a harrowing picture of a policy designed to control and diminish the rights of vulnerable populations.

Long fight for justice

For decades, the victims of this policy have sought recognition and justice for the abuses they endured. Many have turned to international bodies, such as the UN women’s rights committee, after facing years of denial and dismissal from successive Peruvian governments. María Elena Carbajal, a victim who was sterilised 26 years ago, expressed her relief at the UN’s ruling, stating that it validated the experiences of countless women who had been branded as liars by their own government. The ruling serves not only as a recognition of their suffering but also as a call for the Peruvian state to acknowledge its past and provide reparations to the victims.

The implications of the UN ruling

The UN committee’s findings have significant implications for Peru’s legal framework regarding human rights. The ruling highlights the need for the Peruvian government to address the historical injustices faced by these women and to ensure that such violations do not occur in the future. However, the government has previously defended the sterilisation programme as a necessary public health initiative aimed at reducing poverty and improving maternal health. This narrative has been met with skepticism, as many argue that the policy was rooted in discriminatory practices rather than genuine concern for women’s health.

As the international community watches closely, the Peruvian government faces mounting pressure to confront its past. The UN’s warning about a law that prevents the prosecution of crimes against humanity committed before 2002 further complicates the situation, as it raises concerns about the potential for impunity. The path to justice for the victims of forced sterilisation remains fraught with challenges, but the recent developments signal a growing recognition of their plight and the urgent need for accountability.