New Law and Proposed Compensation Programs Bring Hope for the Internally Displaced

Two recent events have generated hope among Peruvians affected by internal displacement that their grievances will finally be addressed. The final report of the Comisión de la Verdad y Reconciliación del Perú, published in August 2003, recognizes as war victims all 600,000 internally displaced persons during the conflict and calls for them to be granted broad reparations as part of the national reconciliation process. In turn, in May 2004, a law was adopted that for the first time recognizes the special situation and particular needs of internally displaced persons. Now, with an adequate legal framework in place, the government must mobilize the political will necessary to implement the law and the recommendations of the Comisión de la Verdad y Reconciliación.