Last December the Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (Movadev) had its request for political recognition denied by Peru’s National Elections board.

Movadev – a political organization with ties to the Shining Path – decided to appeal the decision last week, and is now awaiting the board’s decision.

Last Thursday Movadev’s assistant secretary, Alfredo Crespo, said the election board had no right to deny the group’s petition on ideological grounds.

"The head of the board does not have authority to reject our application form because of ideological reasons, the constitution forbids it, [there should be] no persecution for ideas or beliefs," he said, according to El Comercio.

Now, the full election board is expected to make a decision regarding Movadev’s appeal.

EL Comercio cited rumors that indicated that three out of five members of the board were in favor of the appeal, which would give the group the majority needed.

Justice Minister Juan Jimenez Mayor said he didn’t think the group was able to participate in a peaceful political process.

"I do not think there's any possibility that these people go into political life by peaceful means, so we must be very cautious. We urge the [National Elections] board to take a balanced and thoughtful decision."

Mayor said one of the group’s aims was to grant amnesty to former Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman, and several of his associates.

"It's a decision you have to weigh very well. Remember that Shining Path is a terrorist movement. There is no obvious sign or criterion that can disprove that," he said to EL Comercio.