Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jun 1978

Vol. 307 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Human Rights in Chile .

12.

Mr. Quinn

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that over 100 people have gone on hunger strike in Chile in support of their demands to obtain information from the Chilean Government of the whereabouts of thousands of people, many of whom are their relatives, who have been apprehended by the Chilean Government, and who are held incommunicado by that Government without any indication of their whereabouts being given to their next of kin; and, in view of this, if the Government, through him, will express concern directly to the Chilean Government on behalf of these people.

13.

Mr. O'Keeffe

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish Government have protested against or made representations to the Government of Chile about the gross violation of basic human rights in that country; and the response, if any, there has been to such protests and/or representations.

14.

Dr. Browne

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any protest has been or will be made by the Government to the head of the Chilean military junta, General Pinochet, concerning the gross abuse of human rights in Chile.

Mr. O'Kennedy

: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 13 and 14 together.

I am aware of the hunger strike in Chile to which the Deputy refers. The Deputy will be aware that the hunger strike has been suspended since those involved are waiting to ascertain if the Chilean authorities will announce an independent inquiry into the disappearances.

It has also been reported recently that the Chilean authorities have agreed to admit the ad hoc Working Group on Chile appointed by the UN Commission on Human Rights. I have been informed by our permanent representative at the United Nations in New York that discussions are at present taking place between the working group and the Chilean authorities in this regard. I would hope that the Chilean authorities will indeed agree to hold an independent inquiry and that it will make all relevant information available to the relatives of persons who have disappeared. I hope also that the ad hoc group will be admitted and that the Chilean Government will co-operate fully with it, particularly in regard to the unexplained disappearances.

Successive Irish Governments have been gravely concerned about the general human rights situation, and in particular the unexplained disappearance of many people in Chile, since September 1973. At the most recent session of the UN General Assembly the Irish delegation again cosponsored a resolution on this subject. This resolution called on the Chilean Government to restore and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and in particular demanded that the Chilean authorities "put an immediate end to practices of inadmissible secret arrests and subsequent disappearance of persons whose detention is systematically denied, or never acknowledged, and clarify forthwith the status of such persons".

The nine member states of the EEC, in a common statement in this debate, expressed very grave concern about the unexplained disappearances. They referred to the hunger strike undertaken by relatives of some disappeared persons in June 1977 and expressed regret at the totally inadequate manner in which the Chilean Government carried out its undertaking to the UN Secretary General to make serious inquiries into the disappearances. The Ambassadors of the EEC countries in Santiago had previously with our approval made an approach to the Chilean authorities in July last year on behalf of all the members of the Nine about the unexplained disappearances.

The Government remain very concerned about these disappearances. Ireland does not have formal diplomatic relations with Chile. However we are considering whether any further representations can usefully be made in conjunction with our partners in the Nine or in an appropriate UN forum to reiterate our grave concern to the Chilean authorities.

Mr. Quinn

: I should like to thank the Minister for his reply. The question is somewhat out of date because of the postponement of the hunger strike. However, in view of the situation that now exists, would the Minister consider, on behalf of the Government, writing directly to the Chilean Government and expressing the concern of the House with regard to the 2,500 missing people? Would the Minister consider attempting to ask the United States to exercise their considerable influence with the Chilean Government in this matter?

Dr. Browne

: They did a job on Allende and that is why it is there.

Mr. O'Kennedy

: I should like to tell the Deputy that we are constantly considering the most effective way of making our concern known to the Chilean Government but we have no direct diplomatic link with the Chilean Government. The channels open to us are the ones I referred to, namely, in consultation with our partners who are actively looking at this position. Our position is fully recognised not just by the Chilean Government but by some concerned and interested people in Chile.

Mr. Quinn

: Is the Minister aware that there are a number of Irish citizens in Chile who have first-hand knowledge of the situation? In view of that involvement and the concern of the House, would the Minister consider, in the event of the Chilean Government not making an adequate response to the requests from the Nine, sponsoring sterner action in the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EEC directed against the Chileans?

Mr. O'Kennedy

: I can assure the Deputy that if the response is not adequate we will be looking at what further steps we can take to bring pressure to bear on the Chilean authorities to guarantee the safety of people who have been apprehended and ask them to explain the disappearances which are the subject of the questions.

Dr. Browne

: In the course of his reply the Minister referred to the holding of an independent inquiry. Did he say "to permit the holding of an independent inquiry" or "the holding of an independent inquiry by the Chilean Government", which is a farcical suggestion? Would the Minister clarify whether it is to be an independent inquiry by outsiders or by the Chilean Government? Will the Irish Government seek to be a member of the ad hoc investigating committee?

Mr. O'Kennedy

: When the Deputy has had an opportunity of reading my reply in detail, he will note that I talked about an independent inquiry which will not just be conducted by the Chilean Government. I talked about the consultations which are at present taking place between the UN and the Chilean Government. As a consequence of this, I hope there will soon be a satisfactory independent inquiry. As to whether or not Ireland would serve on that inquiry is a matter not just for Ireland but also for the UN. Our readiness to serve is beyond question.

Mr. O'Keeffe

: Has any consideration been given at EEC level to the question of economic sanctions against countries like Chile?

Mr. O'Kennedy

: The question of economic sanctions on the part of the Community against countries that have a gross disregard for human rights is being currently considered. It is a delicate and difficult topic because the countries concerned in the various areas in which the EEC has aid programmes have different perceptions (a) of human rights and (b) of the right of the Community to set standards for them which they might reject.

Mr. O'Keeffe

: Would the Minister accept that my question is based on the gross violations of human rights which should be accepted in every country?

Mr. O'Kennedy

: I agree.

Mr. Quinn

: Surely there is a distinct difference in the case of Chile where a state with a tradition of democracy was overthrown. It cannot reasonably be lumped with other countries, which was suggested in the Minister's reply. On that basis, would he not agree that specific regard should be had by the European Council of Foreign Ministers for the Chilean situation?

Mr. O'Kennedy

: Specific regard is being had for the Chilean situation. I was not lumping one country with any other country. The circumstances in each country must be judged on their merits.