Peruvian Foreign Ministry exchanged with UN High Commissioner and prepares visit of Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. | Photo: @CancilleriaPeru

Geneva, December 21 (RHC)-- The High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations, Volker Türk, held on Tuesday a virtual meeting with Peruvian authorities where he told the Foreign Minister of that country, Ana Cecilia Gervasi, that he is willing to collaborate to find a way out of the political and institutional crisis they are suffering after the dismissal of Pedro Castillo.

According to reports from the Foreign Ministry, the UN official showed interest in the South American nation "renewing social cohesion and confidence in institutions."  Türk offered his cooperation in the field of human rights for the "strengthening of capacities in the country's institutions" in view of the drastic events that have taken place since December 7.   

At the same time, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) begins a visit to Peru to verify the fulfillment of the State's commitment to human rights, according to official sources.  The IACHR will carry out a three-day visit as a result of complaints from social sectors and humanitarian organizations based in Peru, due to the 26 deaths that occurred during the wave of protests and the prevailing violence.

The Foreign Ministry described the action as a "technical visit" and announced that it is already coordinating the agenda of the mentioned commission and other actors involved.  One of them, according to media reports, is the National Coordinator of Human Rights, which has expressed its concern "in view of the violent behavior and violation of human rights by the National Police and the Armed Forces" in the face of the silence of civilian and military authorities.

Recent polls show that 86 percent of Peruvians demand general elections in 2023, contrary to the explicit intentions of the Congress and the interim president, Dina Boularte, to remain in power until 2024.