The Ombudsman’s Office entered an extraordinary review process after the GANHRI Accreditation Subcommittee warned of possible effects on its independence, lack of transparency and lack of response to complaints sent by the CNDDHH. The mechanism was activated after months in which the dispatch of Joshua Gutierrez It did not present defenses or requested information, which generated international concern about the organization’s ability to act autonomously.
The communications sent by the National Human Rights Coordinator (Cnddhh) They detailed alleged irregularities in the operation of the Ombudsman’s Office, including restrictions on access to historical archives, questioned decisions in internal management and a deteriorated institutional climate.
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“On September 1, 2025, the SCA Secretariat received information from third parties from the National Human Rights Coordinator of Peru,” they indicate. The SCA evaluated the documentation, verified the absolute lack of response from the entity and concluded that it was necessary to initiate a special review, a mechanism reserved for serious cases.
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The GANHRI applied this procedure exceptionally, as it only activates it when it considers that a national human rights institution could be failing to comply with the Paris Principles. In this case, international concern focuses on the apparent lack of independence of the defender Joshua Gutierrezthe weak action in response to complaints of human rights violations and possible political interference in key decisions of the organization.
The international examination will be carried out in 2026 and will determine if the Ombudsman’s Office It maintains category A, a status that allows it to actively participate in United Nations bodies. Losing this classification would affect its representativeness and would send a signal of institutional setback in Peru in a context marked by political tensions and complaints of violation of rights.
GANHRI questions institutional silence and warns about internal setbacks
He GANHRI Accreditation Subcommittee bases the special review on two factors: the seriousness of the complaints presented by civil society and the absolute silence of the Ombudsman’s Office in response to formal requests for information. The report notes that the office of Joshua Gutierrez He did not respond to any of the emails sent by the SCA since September 2025, which raised concerns about his institutional behavior.
The alerts of the Cnddhh They mention an alleged lack of transparency in key processes, such as internal personnel management and restrictions on access to human rights documents. There is also a weakening of the supervisory role of the Ombudsman’s Office in situations of serious violation, as well as a deterioration in working conditions within the organization, which affects its ability to influence.
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For the GANHRI, these indicators compromise the credibility of the defense and call into question its independence at a time when active surveillance of the State is required. For this reason, the SCA decided to call a priority evaluation in 2026, in order to determine whether the organization continues to comply with international standards in terms of autonomy, transparency and defense of the population.
“The SCA is particularly concerned about allegations relating to the DPP’s ability to carry out its mandate efficiently, its perceived independence and credibility,” the letter states.
