As delivered by Linda Newman-Toth
Delegation of the United States of America
28th Session,
Geneva, November 8, 2017
Thank you Mr. Vice President.
The United States thanks the Peruvian delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We support Peru’s focus on combating government corruption and its initial investigation of the alleged extrajudicial killings by the Peruvian National Police. We welcome Peru’s efforts to reduce social conflict in the extractive sector through consultation with indigenous peoples and encourage Peru to become a member of the Voluntary Principles Initiative.
We remain concerned about sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls, including rape, and domestic, sexual, physical and mental abuse.
We applaud Peru for approving the revised National Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons. However, conviction rates remain low, including for forced labor crimes and sex and labor trafficking associated with illegal gold mining. We encourage Peru to increase funding for human trafficking shelters and services to victims.
Bearing in mind these concerns, the United States makes the following recommendations:
- Continue to combat government corruption and support the independent investigation of the alleged extrajudicial killings of 27 people by members of the Peruvian National Police.
- Reduce social conflict in the extractive sector by improving consultation with indigenous peoples and joining the Voluntary Principles Initiative as a member.
- Improve law enforcement and judicial responses to human trafficking and gender-based violence, increase resources for victim services, and implement programs to combat human trafficking in the mining sector.
Thank you M. Vice President.