UN human rights specialists are voicing strong objections to a proposed amendment in Peru’s disability legislation, which they believe could significantly set back the rights of persons with disabilities. The contentious amendment, which seeks to establish specialized care centers and temporary shelters, has been flagged by experts as a potential move towards re-institutionalization—an outcome that could isolate individuals from their communities and expose them to heightened risks of abuse and neglect.

The experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, worry that the amendment to the General Law on Persons with Disabilities, enacted in 2012, could reverse important strides made toward enabling individuals with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in society. They argue that terms like “temporary” or “specialized” do little to mitigate the risk of long-term segregation. Moreover, they suggest that such facilities could divert necessary resources from community-based services that support integration.

The proposed legislative change, already approved by Peru’s Congress on September 30, is poised for a final vote. The amendment specifically allows for the creation of "specialized care centers and temporary shelters," purportedly based on a rights-based approach. This move has not only drawn criticism from the UN but also from international human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch, which has called for a presidential veto to uphold the dignity and autonomy of all individuals.

Peru ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008, committing to ensure the rights encapsulated in Article 19 of the Convention. This article guarantees the right of persons with disabilities to live independently and be included in the community, setting a legal framework that Peru is expected to adhere to, under the oversight of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The UN experts have now called on the Peruvian Congress to retract the proposed amendment and to engage in consultations with persons with disabilities, ensuring that any legislative changes will advance rather than hinder their rights. The international community watches closely, as the decisions made could influence global standards and practices related to the rights and integration of persons with disabilities.