Urgent Action: REFUGEES IN PERU RISK MASS EXPULSIONS (Peru 106.23)

Venezuelan nationals in Peru no longer can apply for temporary protection, which allowed refugees to have a regular migratory status. On November 14, the Peruvian government issued the legislative decree 1582 dictating the expulsion of all foreigners with an irregular migratory status, putting countless Venezuelans who were unable to apply for temporary protection before the November 10 deadline at risk. The 24-hour process established for carrying out expulsions is incompatible with due process guarantees, the prohibition of non-refoulment, and international obligations of protection of Venezuelan nationals. We call on the Peruvian government to immediately repeal this decree. 

TAKE ACTION:

• Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
• Click here to let us know the actions you took on Second Urgent Action 106.23. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

cONTACT INFORMATION:

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Mr. Alberto Otárola Peñaranda, 

I am deeply concerned by the recent decree issued by the Peruvian government that puts Venezuelan refugees in Peru at grave risk. The recent deadline to apply for temporary protection was too tight for many Venezuelans to apply for regular migratory status and now they are left totally unprotected and facing unlawful expulsions.  

Peruvian authorities cannot ignore its obligations under international refugee and human rights law to protect those fleeing massive human rights violations in Venezuela. Peru must guarantee the right to request recognition of refugee status for all Venezuelans; implement complementary and temporary protection measures that are fully accessible and that protect basic rights; and crucially, ensure strict compliance with the principle of non-refoulement. 

Legislative Decree num. 1582 goes against international law, including ensuring the right to due process guarantees as a crucial barrier to protect refugees from refoulment. This decree seems to establish unlawful expulsions as a rule. We call on you to immediately repeal Decree 1582 and to fully comply with Peru’s international obligations to protect Venezuelan nationals in the country.

Yours sincerely, 

[YOUR NAME]

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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