Former presidential candidate urges government to respect the UN working group opinion.
On Monday, former presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez called on Peru’s Interim President Jose Maria Balcazar to release imprisoned former President Pedro Castillo.
RELATED:
Habeas Corpus Calls for Peruvian President Pedro Castillo Immediate Release
His request followed an opinion by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which determined that Castillo was arbitrarily detained and imprisoned without due process. Therefore, the multilateral experts called for the release of the leftist politician.
At a news conference with leaders of his “Together for Peru” party, Sanchez recalled that authorities had previously released and compensated individuals in other cases similar to Castillo’s.
“When it has been determined that there has been arbitrary conduct, the Peruvian state’s response has been to provide redress,” Sanchez said, stressing that Balcazar has no reason to depart from that practice because “today it is his responsibility.”
The Together for Peru former presidential candidate, who was narrowly defeated by far-right candidate Keiko Fujimori in the runoff election, called for compliance with the country’s sovereignty while also honoring “international treaties.”
“Peru has been complying with everything it has signed. It must maintain its historic conduct. We ask that this time, because of acts of political hatred, the state does not fail to act in accordance with the agreements it has signed,” Sanchez said.
Sheinbaum Backs UN Resolution on Pedro Castillo
Sheinbaum backed a UN panel that found Castillo’s detention arbitrary, said his ouster lacked the votes Peruvian law required, and signaled Mexico is open to restoring ties with Lima.https://t.co/prLgueGEYs pic.twitter.com/Tas75teCTG
— Mexico Solidarity Media (@MexSolidarity) July 12, 2026
Sanchez alleged that Peru’s Foreign Affairs Ministry is acting in a biased manner by stating that the UN working group’s opinion is not a “binding judicial decision” and has no direct effect on the domestic legal system.
Earlier, Pedro Castillo’s attorney, Walter Ayala, filed a habeas corpus petition seeking the former president’s immediate release following the opinion issued by the UN working group.
On Friday, Balcazar said that “this document somewhat changes the legal and constitutional framework regarding the manner in which a pardon may be granted to a detained person,” in reference to the possible granting of presidential clemency that would allow Castillo to leave prison.
Sanchez confirmed the call for a demonstration on Wednesday, July 15, in downtown Lima to demand Castillo’s release, as well as justice for the “martyrs of the south,” referring to the 49 people killed during the 2022 anti-government protests following the former president’s imprisonment and removal from office.
Former President Castillo was sentenced to 11 years and 5 months in prison for conspiracy in connection with an alleged failed coup attempt in late 2022.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.