By Liliana Avila | Senior Human Rights Attorney
The people of La Oroya have been breathing in toxic air for decades.
Understanding the cumulative impact that pollution has had on their health and wellbeing is vital to achieving justice.
That’s why we’re working to ensure Peru complies with the precautionary measures granted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which are intended to prevent harm to the health, integrity, and lives of the people of La Oroya.
In recent months, we’ve updated the Commission on two instances in which Peru failed to comply with the terms of the precautionary measures.
First, the State failed in June to inform and deliver to the people of La Oroya the results of the last round of blood tests, which are taken to analyze the concentrations of heavy metals in the blood of those affected.
Developed by Peru’s Health Ministry, these tests are vital to measuring the impacts of decades of largely unrelated pollution in this small mountain town. The people of La Oroya have a right to understand their own health.
Then, Peru unilaterally changed the protocols for the medical consultations without informing or including the other stakeholders, including AIDA and APRODEH.
Where the process has historically been participative, Peru’s recent move isolates those who support the victims from the information needed to adequately evaluate damages.
After submitting a report to the Commission warning them of the unilateral changes in protocol, Peru sent us the information we needed.
In response, we’re preparing comments with the support of international medical experts to determine if the new protocols comply with international standards for scientific evidence, required to make proper diagnoses.
The report will be submitted before the Commission and to Peru to analyze what protocols, if any, will need to be changed.
The accountability process is complex, and consistent monitoring is needed to ensure proper diagnosis, treatment, and the health of the affected community.
Thank you for your continuing support as we work to achieve justice for the people of La Oroya.
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