Julio César Rimac Damián

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: -9.189967

Longitude: -75.015152

From Region

Individual's/organization's activity: an environmental lawyer and community leader

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Reported trigger of reprisal

Mr. Rimac had planned to travel to Geneva on 12 September 2024 to engage with special procedures, specifically to raise concerns with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation about water pollution linked to Antamina’s mining activities. That same night, following the threats, he travelled to Lima with the intent to continue his journey, but ultimately cancelled his United Nations-related mission out of concern for the safety of his wife and young daughter.
As a result of the threats, Mr. Rimac withdrew from his planned cooperation with the United Nations. Mr. Rimac and his family sought temporary refuge and remained away from their home for several days. He held a virtual meeting with staff supporting the Special Rapporteur and with the OHCHR office in Peru.

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Reprisal information

During the reporting period, according to information received by OHCHR, Mr. Julio César Rimac Damián, an environmental lawyer and community leader, was the target of an act of intimidation to deter his (further) cooperation with the United Nations on human rights.
Reportedly, on 11 September 2024, while returning home in the afternoon, Mr. Rimac was intercepted by an unmarked vehicle driven by armed individuals. Two men reportedly exited the vehicle and threatened him, warning that they would harm him and his family if he continued to speak publicly about the environmental contamination caused by the Antamina mining company.
Mr. Rimac had planned to travel to Geneva on 12 September 2024 to engage with special procedures, specifically to raise concerns with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation about water pollution linked to Antamina’s mining activities. That same night, following the threats, he travelled to Lima with the intent to continue his journey, but ultimately cancelled his United Nations-related mission out of concern for the safety of his wife and young daughter.
As a result of the threats, Mr. Rimac withdrew from his planned cooperation with the United Nations. Mr. Rimac and his family sought temporary refuge and remained away from their home for several days. He held a virtual meeting with staff supporting the Special Rapporteur and with the OHCHR office in Peru.

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: No

Further case development

As a result of the threats, Mr. Rimac withdrew from his planned cooperation with the United Nations. Mr. Rimac and his family sought temporary refuge and remained away from their home for several days. He held a virtual meeting with staff supporting the Special Rapporteur and with the OHCHR office in Peru.

Government response content

On 30 July 2025, the Government responded to the note verbale sent in connection to the present report informing that the Intersectoral Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders had followed up on the allegations of reprisals against Mr. Rimac Damián. The Mechanism had documented the risks and taken the necessary actions to assess appropriate measures. The Government also noted that the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is responsible for implementing the Mechanism through its General Directorate of Human Rights.

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: Yes

#EndReprisals