I. Introduction: Oppression as Daily Reality
In Peru, political oppression has created an environment of fear and insecurity that affects families across the nation. From violent crackdowns on protests to harassment of activists and journalists, the government’s heavy-handed tactics leave citizens with limited freedoms. For many families, remaining in Peru means risking violence, persecution, and poverty. As a result, thousands are making the difficult decision to flee, often undertaking perilous journeys to seek safety abroad.

II. Cycles of Political Instability
Peru’s political system has long been plagued by instability. Frequent changes in leadership, power struggles between branches of government, and entrenched corruption weaken governance. These crises create an environment where civil liberties are curtailed, and dissent is often met with repression.

III. Crackdowns on Civic Protest
Families who participate in civic demonstrations risk being caught in violent crackdowns. Security forces often use excessive force against protesters, including rubber bullets and live ammunition. Parents and children alike are exposed to danger when their communities mobilise against corruption, inequality, or environmental exploitation.

IV. Harassment of Political Opponents
Opposition figures, activists, and human rights defenders are frequent targets of political harassment. Arbitrary arrests, intimidation campaigns, and threats against family members are common tactics used to silence dissent. These attacks create a climate where families feel unsafe simply for exercising their right to political participation.

V. Violence Against Journalists
Journalists investigating government misconduct or corruption face threats, censorship, and violence. Their families also become targets, forcing many into hiding or exile. The silencing of independent media deprives citizens of vital information and contributes to widespread fear.

VI. Rural and Indigenous Families at Risk
Rural and indigenous families are disproportionately affected by political oppression. Protests against mining projects and land dispossession are often crushed with excessive force. These communities face violence, displacement, and loss of livelihood, pushing them to migrate in search of security.

VII. Impacts on Children
Children suffer acutely under political oppression. Exposure to violence during protests, the imprisonment of parents, and forced displacement disrupt their education and well-being. For many families, migration is a desperate attempt to give children a safer future.

VIII. Gendered Impacts on Women
Women face specific forms of oppression, including sexual harassment and gender-based violence during political protests. As caretakers, women bear the burden of protecting their families, often leading them to spearhead migration decisions. This gendered dimension highlights the unique risks faced by women under Peru’s political repression.

IX. Dangerous Migration Journeys
Families fleeing oppression often undertake perilous migration routes. They risk exploitation by traffickers, dangerous border crossings, and uncertain asylum processes. Despite these dangers, the threat of continued oppression at home drives them to leave.

X. Diaspora Support Networks
Peruvian diaspora communities provide crucial assistance to families in exile. They offer legal aid, housing support, and solidarity, helping families rebuild their lives. Diaspora networks also amplify the voices of those silenced in Peru, keeping international attention on the country’s democratic crisis.

XI. International Responses
Human rights organisations and foreign governments have condemned Peru’s repression and urged accountability. However, international pressure has yet to bring significant change, leaving families dependent on migration as their primary means of protection.

XII. Conclusion: Migration for Survival and Dignity
Political oppression in Peru leaves families with little choice but to flee. Faced with violence, harassment, and repression, migration becomes both a survival strategy and a search for
dignity. Until Peru restores democratic protections and ensures justice, families will continue to risk everything to escape oppression and secure a safer future abroad.