24 April 2025. is regulation, which grants broad control powers to the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), imposes a system of prior authorisation on the activities of civil society organisations receiving international funding. Moving forward, these organisations must obtain the "prior approval" of the State to implement projects and activities, which subordinate their work to State authorisation and directly undermines their autonomy and independence.
Furthermore, the law purports that the alleged "improper use" of cooperation funds when used to provide advice; assistance or financing for administrative, judicial or other actions; in national or international instances; and that question the Peruvian State is a "very serious infraction". In other words, any organisation legally representing or supporting individuals or communities affected by human rights violations could be sanctioned. In the case of a serious infraction, the APCI may impose disproportionate economic sanctions of up to 500 Tax Unitary Units (approximately US$720,000) and suspend or cancel the organizations’ registrations.
The enactment of this law is part of a troubling regional trend in the closing of civic spaces. Several governments have promoted regulations imposing disproportionate administrative and financial requirements on civic spaces. In addition to restricting funding, these regulations also grant broad control powers to state entities. In direct opposition of promoting transparency, these measures have been used as instruments of censorship and repression. Emblematic cases such as Nicaragua, where thousands of organisations have been outlawed since 2018; Venezuela, with the recent approval of a law granting the government broad powers to dissolve organizations; and Paraguay, with Law No. 7,363 of 2024, which imposes arbitrary restrictions on nonprofit entities, are examples of this trend. In this context, the recently enacted law in Peru adds to a dangerous regional shift that must be immediately addressed.
We reiterate our solidarity with the Peruvian organisations that see their existence and important work threatened as a result of this law. We make an urgent call to the international community, to the organs of the Inter-American system and the United Nations, and to the governments of the region to continue to speak out and act in the face of this serious regression. Protecting civic space is essential to guarantee the fundamental rights of all people in Latin America.