The ombudsman’s office is asking Congress to reformulate a law that integrates self-defense committees into national security.

Ombudsmanthrough a message sent to Defense Commission Congress of the Republic requested that the scope of a law recognizing Self Defense Committees (CAD) and authorizes the supply of arms to these groups by the state and private parties. This law was approved at the insistence of June 16.

The ombudsman’s office called it “unacceptable” that “within a constitutional state” these civilian groups are allowed to have a larger supply of firearms and that “the responsibility of the state to ensure the safety of citizens” is transferred to them.

“This means empowering them with powers specific to the Peruvian National Police and the armed forces, which would mean giving up the state’s obligation to guarantee the safety of citizens and protect the fundamental rights of the population,” the agency said in a statement.

Rethinking

As you remember, congressman Jose Cueto People’s renewal in dialogue with RPP Newsargued that the Defense Commission, which he unites, will consider the law and that it can be changed or formulated differently.

“It’s nice to note that, as you know, we’ve received not one, but hundreds of criticisms from all quarters,” he said. cueto.

Concerning Ombudsman he urged said working group to “reconsider the scope of its activities in the face of the obvious vices of unconstitutionality”. Similarly, he demanded that “the concerns and demands of representatives of indigenous organizations, peasant patrols and civil society be taken into account.”

“The above norm violates the principle that recognizes the monopoly of the state on the use of force and other lawful means of coercion. Besides, introduces elements that will be disruptive in rural communities and localities by equipping groups of civilians with weapons to carry out the functions of combating offenses and organized crime, which correspond exclusively to institutions specializing in the use of public force,” the Ombudsman said.

In this sense, the institution indicated that the standard “affects the rights of indigenous peoples and peasant and indigenous communities, making CAD a part of their organizational structure.”

Finally, the Ombudsman indicated that he would evaluate resort to legal channels exclude from the legal system the provisions contained in the aforementioned which are unconstitutional.”