Peru's Justice Committee clears reports on criminal prescription and on asset forfeiture

27 October 2026

The Justice and Human Rights Committee of Peru's Chamber of Deputies has approved two reports, known as dictamenes. The first, grouping seven proposals, would amend the Codigo Penal and the Codigo Procesal Penal and repeal Ley 32104, setting new limits on how long a criminal prescription period may be suspended. It passed by 12 votes to 6 with 6 abstentions. The second, grouping four proposals, would amend Decreto Legislativo 1373 on extincion de dominio, the civil forfeiture of unlawfully obtained assets. It would restore the procedure's independence from criminal trials, so the State may seek forfeiture without a final criminal judgment, removing the restrictions added by Ley 32326. The burden of proving illicit origin stays with the Ministerio Publico, with protections for good-faith buyers and a review mechanism for judicial decisions. It passed by 11 votes to 8 with 1 abstention. The chamber's presidency had ordered urgent processing within 15 business days. The committee is chaired by Catherin Palomino Casavilca.