Dina Boluarte’s Sovereignty Law Initiative Amid Human Rights Tensions
On August 28, 2025, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte announced the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group tasked with drafting a National Sovereignty Law within two months, aimed at addressing the country’s current challenges, reports 24brussels.
The group, conceived as a temporary entity, will be spearheaded by the Defense Ministry and will encompass representatives from the Armed Forces Joint Command, the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Foreign Ministry, the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, and the Interior Ministry. This initiative follows Boluarte’s declaration made the previous day, emphasizing the need to “defend national sovereignty” during an official ceremony attended by police and military officials.
“It is imperative that the state defend itself, not only in terms of territorial integrity but also in the full application of our Constitution and our laws,” Boluarte stated. “We will not allow international organizations to interfere in our sovereign decisions.” She further asserted that a new law is essential to reaffirm Peru’s right to self-determination without ambiguities or concessions.
Despite the working group’s focus, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) remains a contentious topic. Although not explicitly mentioned in the ministerial resolution, the Boluarte administration has indicated a potential withdrawal from the American Convention on Human Rights, which established the court. Right-wing factions in Peru have long advocated for severing ties with the IACHR, arguing that its rulings favor subversive elements and demonstrate a bias against the country’s judicial procedures.
This push gained momentum following Boluarte’s recent amnesty for police, military personnel, and self-defense committee members charged with offenses during the internal armed conflict between 1980 and 2000 against groups such as the Shining Path and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA). Boluarte signed the amnesty into law, overriding the IACHR’s admonition to halt the legislation’s progress. She criticized the IACHR’s request as “an offense to national sovereignty,” with Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer later revealing that the government is reviewing the option to withdraw from the American Convention.
“We will not accept attempts to undermine the independence of our state institutions with calls not to apply Peruvian legislation that emanates from a free nation,” Boluarte remarked. “Irresponsible calls that are suspiciously spread by entities interested in destroying our democratic system,” she emphasized, highlighting the administration’s commitment to maintaining national sovereignty amidst international scrutiny.
