The following information was provided by an officer at the Andean Comission of Jurists in Lima, during a telephone interview on 18 May 1995. Discussion on many proposed amendments has been ongoing but only two constitutional amendments have been formally proposed and approved in one legislative session before April 1995. These amendments have to be approved in a second legislative session to be added to the constitution of December 1993 and go into effect.

One of the amendments concerns the Habeas Data refering to the citizens' access to information from public institutions. The second amendment refers to the Canon Regional, which is the transfer to the regions of income generated through the exploitation of their natural resources. These amendments are expected to be approved in the next legislative session that will take place in the second half of 1995, after the newly elected Congress assumes power.

For information on aspects of the constitution that have been amended before the referendum of December 1993 and amendments proposed after the adoption of the constitution, please consult the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

Andean Comission of Jurists, Lima, Peru. 18 May 1995. Telephone interview with an officer.

Attachments

EFE [Madrid, in Spanish]. 7 April 1994. "Half Million People Seek Constitutional Amendments." (FBIS-LAT-94-0688 April 1994, pp. 39-40)

El Comercio [Lima, in Spanish]. 31 July 1994. "Yoshiyama On Constitutional Amendments." (FBIS-LAT-94-160 18 August 1994, p. 37)

El Peruano [Lima, in Spanish]. 30 September 1993. "Constitutional Amendments Outlined." (FBIS-LAT-93-207 28 October 1993, pp. 55-57)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. October 1993. Vol. 39, No. 10. "Peru: Constitutional Referendum," pp. 39683-39684.

Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group Report [London]. 11 November 1993. "Peruvians Approve New Charter But By Smaller Margin Than Fujimori Wanted," p. 1.

_____. 11 November 1993. "Peru: Backing For Reform Less Than Expected," pp. 2-3.

Notisur. 14 January 1994. "Peru: President Alberto Fujimori Promulgates Nation's 12th Constitution." (NEXIS)

Radio Programas del Peru [Lima, in Spanish]. 23 October 1993. "CCD President Discusses Constitutional Referendum." (FBIS-LAT-93-207 28 October 1993, pp. 52-55)

Reuters. 29 December 1993. BC Cycle. Mary Powers. "Fujimori Promulgates Peru's 12th Constitution." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Reports. Daily.

Latinamerica Press [Lima].

Latin America Update [Washington].

Latin American Newsletters [London].

Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group [London].

Latin American Special Reports [London].

NACLA Report on the Americas.

On-line searches.

Oral sources.