ACCESSTOJUSTICEFORCHILDREN:PERU

ThisreportwasproducedbyWhite&CaseLLPin2014butmayhavebeen
subsequentlyeditedbyChildRightsInternationalNetwork(CRIN).CRINtakesfull
responsibilityforanyerrorsorinaccuraciesinthereport.
I. WhatisthelegalstatusoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild(CRC)?

A.
What is the status of the CRCandotherrelevantinternationalinstrumentsin
thenationallegalsystem.
Accordingtoarticle55oftheConstitutionofPeru,internationaltreatiesthathave
beenapprovedbytheCongressandratifiedbythePresidentarepartofthenational
law.Therefore,internationaltreatiessuchastheCRCunquestionablyhave
normativevalue,arefullyenforceableinthenationalterritory,andcanbereliedon
byPeruviancourts.
B.

DoestheCRCtakeprecedenceovernationallaw?

TheConstitutionofPeruisnotclearregardingtheprecedenceofinternational
treatiesovernationallaw.Althoughitisestablishedthat,oncetheyhavebeen
ratified,internationaltreatiesarepartofthenationallaw,theConstitutiondoesnot
provideassuch.Thehierarchyoflawsisestablishedinarticle51ofthe
Constitution,whichstatesthattheConstitutionprevailsoveranylegalregulation.
However,despitetheexplicitstatementofarticle51,thefourthFinalandTransitory
ProvisionoftheConstitutionprovidestherulethatgovernsfortheinterpretationof
humanrightslaw,whichstates:
Provisions relating to the rights andlibertiesrecognizedbytheConstitutionare
interpreted in conformity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
thepertinentinternationaltreatiesandagreementsratifiedbyPeru.1
ArticleVoftheConstitutionalProceduralCodegoesbeyondandestablishesthatthe
constitutionalguaranteesmustbeinterpretedandappliedinaccordancenotonlyto
internationaldocuments,butalsotoInternationalCourtsrulings2.
C.

HastheCRCbeenincorporateintonationallaw?

TheCRChasbeenpartofthePeruviannationallawsince1990,whenitwasratified
inaccordancewitharticle55ofthePeruvianConstitution,whichstates:Treaties
concludedbytheStateandinforcearepartofnationallaw.
Similarly,theCRChasprovidedthebasisfortheimplementationofnationalpolicy
regardingtheprotectionoftherightsofchildrenandadolescents,aswellas
1

PeruvianConstitution,availableat:
http://www.tc.gob.pe/legconperu/constitucion.html
.
Lawn.28237,availableat:
http://www.tc.gob.pe/Codigo_Procesal.html
.

amendmentstospecificregulations,suchastheChildrenandAdolescentsCodeand
LawNo.27337.
D.

CantheCRCbedirectlyenforcedinthecourts?

TheCRCcanbedirectlyenforcedinPeruviancourts.Additionally,itisincreasingly
frequenttoobservecourtjudgments,mainlybytheConstitutionalCourt,
substantiatedbyinternationalcovenantsonhumanrights.
E.
Are there examples of domestic courts using or applying the CRC or other
relevantsinternationalinstruments?
Yes,therearemanyexamplesofdomesticcourtsinPeruusingtheCRCandother
relevantinternationalinstruments.Theapplicationofsuchinstrumentsismoreoften
seenintheConstitutionalCourt.SomejudgmentsandConstitutionalCourtcriteria
3
areavailableattheDepartmentofJusticeofPeruswebpage.
II.Whatisthelegalstatusofthechild?
A. Can children and/or their representatives bring cases in domestic courts to
challengeviolationsofchildrensrights?
TheCivilCodeofPeruestablishesthatpersonswhohaveattainedtheageof18
havelegalcapacitytotakelegalactionortoappearincourt.Personsunder18can
onlyappearincourtthroughtheirlegalrepresentatives.Personsovertheageof16
butundertheageof18areauthorized,undertheCivilCode,toappearincourtfor
certainactsoftheirinterestandcontractintheirownnameifauthorizedbythe
responsibleadults4.
Fulllegalcapacityisgrantedtopersonsyoungerthan18butovertheageof16who
aremarriedorwhohavereceivedanofficialqualificationthatauthorizesthemto
exerciseaprofession5.
Adolescentsovertheageof14aregrantedthecapacitysolelytorespondtolegal
actionsforrecognitionofchildren,demandofpregnancyandchildbirthexpenses,if
andwhentheybecomeparents6.
Representationofminorsisgovernedbytherulesofparentalauthority,guardianship
andcuratorship.
Parentalauthorityisjointlyexercisedbythefatherandthemotherduringtheir
marriage.Therefore,theyaretypicallyaminorsrepresentativesbeforethenational

http://www.pj.gob.pe/wps/wcm/connect/cijjuris/s_cij_jurisprudencia_nuevo/as_jurisprudencia_sistematizad
a/as_consultas_sobre_control_difuso/as_PrincipiodeInteresSuperiordelNino/
.
4
Civil Code, Article 227.
5
Civil Code, Articles 42.
6
Ibid,

ARticle 46.

courtsandtribunals.Iftheparentsarenotmarried,parentalauthoritycanbe
exercisedbyeitherparent.
Tutorsmaybeappointedthroughawillorpublicdeed.Tutorshipcanbeexercised
bythegrandparentsorotherascendants.Insomecases,tutorsmaybeappointedby
theFamilyCouncil.7
Alternatively,minorscanberepresentedbyaspecialcuratoriftheparentsinterests
opposethoseofthechild.Thisappointmentmayberequestedbythefather,the
mother,thePublicProsecutor,anyotherpersonorexofficio.Thecuratorscanbe
relativesor,intheabsenceofrelatives,theFamilyCouncilshallproposeanyother
person.
AnotherimportantfigurewithrespecttorepresentationistheStatethroughthe
PublicProsecutor,whichthroughthepowersgrantedbytheConstitutionandother
applicablerules,caninstigate,exofficiooronrequest,appropriatelegal,judicialor
extrajudicialactions.
CriminalprosecutionisunderthemonopolyofPublicProsecutors8,withafew
exceptionsoflessercrimes.Privateprosecutionisnotlawful,butthevictimortheir
representativescanprotestthearchivingofacase9.
B. If so, are children of any age, permitted to bring these cases by themselves in
their own names/on their own behalf, or must thecasebebroughtbyorwiththe
assistanceofarepresentative?
Allchildrenmustgotocourtthroughrepresentatives.Onlyinthespecificcases
providedbylawcantheybringcasesontheirownbehalf.Therefore,inthemajority
ofcasesregardingviolationsoftheirrights,underagechildrengotocourtthrough
therepresentationoftheirparents,guardiansorcuratorsor,inthecasessetforthby
law,thepublicprosecutororpublicdefenseattorney.
C. Inthecaseofinfantsandyoungchildren,howwouldcasestypicallybrought?
AsmentionedinPartsII.AandII.Babove,parentsaretypicallythelegal
representativesofminors,accordingwiththeCivilCodeconsistentwiththeChild
andAdolescentsCode.Itisindicatedinregulationsthattheobligationsofparentsin
theexerciseoftheirparentalauthority,amongotherthings,istorepresenttheir
minorchildrenbeforecourts.Ontheotherhand,theseregulationsestablish
circumstanceswhereparentsaretobedeprivedoftheexerciseoftheirparental
rightsifajudgeordersachildtobeplacedintemporaryprotectivecustodywitha
relativeorsomeotherpersonwhoisnotaparent.Thejudgemustnotifythis
situationtothePublicProsecutor.

I
bid,
Article 502.
Penal Code, Article 1.
9
Ibid,

Article 345.
7
8

D. Would children or their representatives be eligible to receive free or subsidised

legalassistanceinbringingthesekindsofcases?
GratuityforthepoororthoseinneedisaprincipleofthePeruvianjusticesystem10.
Inordertocarryoutthisconstitutionalprovision,theChildandAdolescentAid
(
DefensoradelNioydelAdolescente)
isentitledtorepresentandpromoteminors`
interestsadministratively,withinprivateandpublicinstitutions11.
TheMinistryofJusticeshalldesignateanumberofPublicDefenseAttorneys
specificallyforchildrenandadolescents12.
VictimscouldalsocontacttheofficeoftheOmbudsman(
DefensoradelPueblo)
,
whoseorganizationalstructureincludesanofficewhichisresponsibleforcasesof
childandadolescentsregardingsexualviolence,childabuse,andabandoned
children.ThislegalassistanceisfreeofchargeandtheOmbudsmanalsohasthe
powertoinvestigate,prepareinformationandmakerecommendationstothe
authoritiesandtakepartinconstitutionalsproceedings,amongotherthings.
E. Are there are any other conditions or limits on children or chosen legal
representatives bringing cases (e.g.,would a child parentes or guardian have to
agreetoacasebeingbrought)?
AsdiscussedinPartII.Aabove,achildsparentstypicallyrepresentthechildbefore
acourt.Incaseswhereparentalauthorityhasbeensuspended,thejudgewillbethe
solepersonwhomakesdecisionsregardingtherightsoftheminor.Childassistance
willbeprovidedbythestatethroughapublicadvocate.Incriminalcases,thepublic
prosecutorrepresentstheinterestofthechild.
III.Howcanchildrensrightsviolationbechallengedbeforenationalcourts?
A. If there a potential violationoftheConstitutionorotherprinciplesestablishedin
domestic law, or with the CRC or other relevant ratified international/regional
instruments,howcanalegalchallengebebrought?
TheHabeasCorpusandAmparolegalactionsareenshrinedintheConstitutionto
remedyanyactoromissionthatisoffensivetoanyconstitutionalguaranteesrelating
tofreedomofmovementinthefirstwrit,andalltheothers,inthelater,excepting
righttoinformation,whichisdefendedbytheHabeasData13.Inthesecases,the
judgecanhalttheeffectsofanunconstitutionalnormintheconcretecase,which
shallbesubmittedtotheSupremeCourt14.
Ifapublicofficialrefusestoapplyalaw,theviableremedyisaComplianceAction.
10

Constitution, Article 139.16

Childhood and Adolescence Code, Article 42.
12
Ibid,

Article 146.
13
Constitution, Article 200.
14
Constitutional Procedure Code, Article 3.
11

TheUnconstitutionalityActioncanbeinterposeddirectlytotheSupremeCourtto
fightnormswithhierarchyofalawthatarenotinaccordancewiththeConstitution.
ThesimilarPopularActioncanbeopposedinadistrictcourtagainstan
administrativeregulationthatcontradictstheConstitutionoralaw.
Individualsorgroupsofindividuals,includingchildren,andNGOsmaysubmit
petitionstotheInterAmericanCommissiononHumanRights(IACHR),15ontheir
behalforonbehalfofthirdpersons,regardingallegedviolations
oftheAmerican
16
ConventiononHumanRights .
Apetitioncanonlybelodgedafterdomestic
remedieshavebeenexhausted,andnormallymustbefiledwithinsixmonthsafter
thefinaljudgment.17Thepetitionmustinclude,amongstotherthings,thenameof
thepersonfilingitor,inthecaseofanNGO,thenameofthelegalrepresentative,
thename(s)ofthevictim(s)ifpossible,andwhetherthepetitionerwishestoremain
anonymousandtherespectivereasons.18Thevictimmaydesignatealawyerorother
persontorepresenthim/herbeforetheIACHR,butthisisnotcompulsory.19Whena
petitionisdeclaredadmissible,theIACHRattemptstoreachaFriendly
Settlementbetweenthepartiesconcerned.Ifthisisnotpossible,theIACHRwill
reachadecisiononthemerits,whichconsistsofnonbindingrecommendationsto
theviolatingState,aimedatendingthehumanrightsviolations,makingreparations,
and/ormakingchangestothelaw.
IftheStatedoesnotcomplywiththerecommendationsoftheIACHR,theIACHR
mayreferthecasetotheInterAmericanCourtofHumanRights(IACtHR).20
IndividualsdonothavedirectrecoursetotheCourt,andmustsubmittheirpetitions
totheIACHR.TheIACtHRinterpretsandappliestheACHRandother
InterAmericanhumanrightstreatiesandissuesajudgment,whichmayinclude
an
21
ordertopayreparationstothevictim(s)ofhumanrightsviolations. TheCourts
judgmentsarelegallybindingontheStateagainstwhichtheyaremade.
B. What Powers courts have to review these violation, and what remedies could
theyoffer?

15

TheInterAmericanCommissiononHumanRightsisoneoftwobodieswithintheOrganisationof
AmericanStates(OAS)forthepromotionandprotectionofhumanrights.Theotherhumanrightsbodyis
theInterAmericanCourtofHumanRights.TheCommissionbenefitsfromadualroleasitsmandateis
foundinboththeCharteroftheOrganisationofAmericanStates,andintheAmericanConventionon
HumanRights(ACHR).AsanOASCharterorgan,theIACHRperformsfunctionsinrelationtoallOAS
MemberStates.AsanorganoftheConvention,itsfunctionsareapplicableonlytoStatesthathaveratified
theACHR:CharteroftheOrganisationofAmericanStates,ChapterXV,availableat:
http://www.oas.org/dil/treaties_A41_Charter_of_the_Organization_of_American_States.htm
American
ConventiononHumanRights,PactofSanJose,CostaRica,ChapterVII,availableat:
http://www.oas.org/dil/treaties_B32_American_Convention_on_Human_Rights.htm
.
16
AmericanConventiononHumanRights,Article44.
17
RulesofProcedureoftheInterAmericanCommissiononHumanRights,Articles3132,availableat:
http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/mandate/Basics/rulesiachr.asp
.
18
Ibid.,Article28.
19
Ibid.,Article23.
20
Ibid.,Article45.
21
AmericanConventiononHumanRights,Article63.

Theactionsdesignedspecificallytoquestionthevalidityofanorm(specifiedin
III.A)canleadtothecompletenullificationofsaidnorm,aswellaslimitationsof
applicationandtemporarysuspensionofitseffects.
Minors`Judgescanimposefines,forbidalofcontactwiththevictimorattendinga
placeorevendailyprisontothosewhorefusetoimplementtheirrulings22,aswell
ascivilcompensationandlesserprotectivemeasures.
InHabeasCorpus,Amparos,HabeasDataandComplianceActionthejudgescan
imposespecificmeasuresfortheimmediatestoppingoftheabuses.
C. Would such a challenge have to directly involve one or more individual child
victims, or is it possible to challenge a law or action without naming a specific
victim?
ChallenginganadministrativeregulationthroughaPopularActiondoesnotrequire
namingvictims.
TheUnconstitutionalityActioncanbefiledonlybythePresidenttheNational
ProsecutortheOmbudsman25percentofCongressregionalandmunicipal
authorities,relatingtonormsoftheirregionProfessionalCouncils,intopicsoftheir
interestor5.000citizensoronepercentofalocalpopulation,thelaterifthelawis
onlyappliedlocally23.Nospecificvictimsmustbenamed.
D. Is any form of collective action or group litigation possible, with or without
namingindividualvictims?
Minors`diffuserightsimplementationcanbesoughtthroughcollectiveorindividual
legalactions,submittedtotheMinors`Court.Collectiveandindividualclaimscan
befiledbytheparents,thelegalrepresentatives,thePublicProsecutor,thePublic
DefenseAttorney,theOmbudsman,theProfessionalCouncils,theEducative
Centers,MunicipalandStateGovernmentsandtheassociationscreatedtoprotect
diffuserights24.
Ifthecomplaintiscenteredaroundtheconstitutionalprotectionofdiffuserights,
anyonecanpresentthedemandintheirownnames,evennonprofitorganisations25.
E. Are nongovernmental organizations permitted to file challenges to potential
childrensrightsviolationsortointerveneincasesthathavealreadybeenfiled?
NGO`scanfilecasestodefenddiffusechildrightsintheirownnames,asexplained
inIII.D.HabeasCorpusclaimscanbefiledwithouttheexpressacquiescenceofthe
beneficiary26.
22

Childhood and Adolescence Code, Article 181.

Constitution, Article 203.
24
Childhood and Adolescence Code, Article 180.
25
Constitutional Procedure Code, Article 40.
26
Ibid,

Article 26.
23

Todirectlyinterveneinaprocedure,theNGOwouldhavetoaskforacquiescence
ofthejudge,displayingalawfulinterestintheresults.AmicusCuriaebriefsare
widelyacceptedbuthavenojudicialinfluence.
IV.PracticalConsiderations.

A. Venue
. In what courts could a case be filed (e.g.civil,criminal,administrative,
etc)?Whatwouldtheinitialfilingprocessentail.
SpecialisedCourtshavelegitimacytohearcasesrelatingtoparentalpower,custody,
support,adoptionandthoserelatedtodiffuseandindividualclaimsofchildrenand
adolescentsrightsviolations,aswellasjudgingminorsinconflictwithcriminallaw
27
.
Theinitialfilingisgenerallywritten,followingthenormalcivilprocedure.
B. Legal aid/Courts cost
. Under what conditions would free or subsidisedlegalaid
be available to child complainants or their representatives through the court
system (i.e., would the case have to present an important legal question or
demonstrate a likelihood of success)? Would child complainants or their
representativesbeexpectedtopaycourtcostsorcoverotherexpenses?
AsmentionedinPartII.Dabove,theConstitutionofPeru,inarticle139number16,
establishestheprincipleofgratuityandthegratuityofadministrationjustice.
C. Pro bono/Financing
. If legal aid is not available, would it be possible for child
complainants or their representatives to obtain legal assistance from practising
lawyers on a probonobasis,throughachildren'srightsorganisation,orunderan
agreementthatdoesnotrequirethepaymentoflegalfeesupfront?
TherearenoregulationsthatprohibitanyinstitutionotherthantheStatefrom
bringingorprovidingfreelegalassistance.InPeru,therearerelevantprobono
foundationsthatarerecognizedbythegovernment.Onesuchfoundationis
28
FundacinProBono.
D. Timing
. How soon after a violation would a case havetobebrought? Arethere
any special provisions that allow young adults to bringcasesaboutviolationsof
theirrightsthatoccurredwhentheywerechildren?
PursuanttheCivilCode,therighttobringchildactionsmayexpireintime,
dependingontheact.Someactionsexpireaftertenyears,sevenyears,threeyearsor
twoyears.

27

Childhood and Adolescence Code, Article 160.

http://www.probono.org.pe/serviciosprobono
.

28

Regardingcriminalproceedings,anactiontoclaimacrimeexpiresdependingonthe
maximumdurationofthepenalty,fromtwoto30years29.
E. Evidence
. What sort of evidence is admissible/required to prove a violation?
Are there particular rules, procedures or practices for dealingwithevidencethat
isproducedorpresentedbychildren?
TheCivilProcedureCodeofPeruestablisheswhichevidenceisadmissibleina
proceeding.Evidenceisclassifiedastypicaloratypical.Typicalformsofevidence
arepartystatements,statementsofwitnesses,documentssuchasdrawings,
photographs,audioandvideoreproductions,expertevidenceandjudicialinspection.
Atypicalformsofevidencearethosetestsconsideredscientificortechnicalthat
wouldclarifyviolationscarriedoutagainstchildren.
TheChildrenandAdolescentsCodeprovidesidentityprotectionforminorsincases
wheresuchminorsarevictims,perpetrators,participantsorwitnessesrelatedtoa
violation,misdemeanororfelony,prohibitingthedisseminationofsuchminors
identitiesandimagesinthemedia.Thereisspecialtreatmentforjuvenilewitnesses.
Expertpsychologistsensureachildsemotionalintegrityincaseswherethechildis
avictim.Achildstestimonywillbemadeinprivateinthepresenceofthechilds
representativesandalwaysassistedbyalawyerofthestate,whichcanbean
advocateorprosecutoror,insomecases,thejudge.Incasesofsexualoffenses,the
presenceoftheminorisnotrequiredtoreconstructthefacts.Similarly,protective
measuresarecontemplatedincaseswhereminorshaveinterventionrightsorin
connectionwithcriminalproceedings,andthejudgewilldetermine,accordingtohis
orherdiscretion,ifthereisgravedangerforthevictim.
F. Resolution
.Howlongmightittaketogetadecisionfromthecourtastowhether
therehasbeenaviolation?
Therearetwotypesofproceedingsregardingcriminalprocessesrelatedtoaninjury
toachild:thesummaryandtheordinary.Thedurationofsummaryproceedings,
accordingtothelaw,isatotalof238days.However,accordingtoreportssubmitted
bytheOmbudsmanandmonitoringofsomecasesindifferentprovinces,thereal
timeforsuchproceedingsisapproximately714days.Forordinaryproceedings,the
legaltimeis430daysandtheactualtypicaldurationis645days.
Similarly,forprocessesthatarecarriedoutincivilcourts,thelegaltimesfor
resolutionarenotrespectedandaretypicallyextendedtoovertwoyears.
G. Appeal
.Whatarethepossibilitiesforappealingadecisiontoahighercourt?
Therighttoappealisavailableandanappealmustbefiledwithinthreedaysof
beingnotifiedofacourtsdecision.

29

Penal Code, Article 80.

H. Impact
. What are the potential shortterm and longterm impacts of a negative
decision? Is there a possibility for political backlash or repercussions from a
positivedecision?
Flagrantfreedomofmovementviolationscanbefoughtatanytimebythe
constitutionalproceduresoftheHabeasCorpus.Furthermore,thecountrycanbe
subjectedtotheInterAmericanHumanRightsCourt.
Politicalstabilityisnewforthecountrybutispromising.Casesrelatedtoorganized
terrorismandinternationaldrugtradewillcertainlyattractpassionateresponses
fromthegovernment.
I. Follow up
. What other concerns or challenges might be anticipatedinenforcing
apositivedecision?
Judicialdecisionaregenerallycompliedwith,andthejudgeshavecomprehensive
measurestoseethemthrough.Thelackofpublicfundsand,consequently,solid
institutions,mayforcethepartiestofollowupontheofficialsandexpeditethe
processbytheirownefforts,whichcanbehardforpeoplewithoutmeans,especially
children.
V. Additional factors. Please list any other national laws, policies or practices you
believe would be relevant to consider when contemplating legal action to challenge a
violationofchildren'srights.
Additional regulations that have to be considered in the proceeding of minor are listed
below:
LawN27.558.LawofPromotionofEducationofChildreninRuralAreas(
Ley
deFomentodeLaEducacindeLasNiasyAdolescentesRurales
).
Law 28.704. Modify of Articles of Criminal CoderegardingCrimesagainstthe
Sexual Freedom and Excluding the Convicted of the Rights of Grace, Pardon
andCommutationofSentence (
ModificaArtculosdel CdigoPenalrelativosa
los Delitos contra la Libertad Sexual y Excluye a los Sentenciados de los
DerechosdeGracia,IndultoyConmutacindelaPena
).
Law 28.190. Protect the Minors of the Mendicity (
Protege a los Menores de
EdaddelaMendicidad
).
Ley N 27.982. Modify the Unique TextOrderedoftheLawN26260,Lawthe
Protection against Family Violence (
Modifica el Texto nico Ordenado de la
LeyN26260LeydeProteccinfrentealaViolenciaFamiliar
).
Law 27.637. Create Temporary Shelter Homes for Minors Victims of Sexual
Abuse (
Crea hogares de Refugios Temporales para Menores Victimas de
ViolacinSexual
).

 Law N 28119 Law ProhibitingtheAccessofMinorstoPornographicWebsites

(
Ley que Prohibe el Acceso de Menores de edad a Pginas Web de contenido
Pornogrfico
).

This report is provided for educational andinformationalpurposesonlyandshouldnot

beconstruedaslegaladvice
.

10