asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the response, if any, he has received to representations made to the Chilean authorities regarding the arrest and ill-treatment of a former Irish resident, (details supplied); the measures, if any, the Government has taken to establish the medical condition of this person, who is reported to be suffering from a broken back following ill-treatment by the Chilean security forces; if the Government has made any representations to the Chilean authorities about the continuing human rights abuses in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Abuses of Human Rights.
27.
As soon as we became aware of reports of Mr. Tricot's mistreatment we expressed our concern to the Chilean Government and asked for details of the charges against him. We have been informed that, although he is still in custody, he is allowed to receive visitors in hospital. Representatives of the Red Cross and his lawyer see him regularly. The Red Cross say that he has suffered spinal injuries since his arrest but offer no explanation as to how these occurred. The Chilean authorities suggest that the injuries are linked to epilepsy from which they say he suffers. They understand that he suffered similar injuries as a result of an epileptic fit while he was in Ireland. I am not aware of any evidence of mistreatment or torture. Mr. Tricot is charged with the illegal possession of explosives.
In common with our partners in the European Community the Government continue to be concerned about the abuses of civil political and human rights in Chile. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland does not have formal diplomatic relations with Chile, but we are able with the assistance of our partners, to monitor the situation there and to make statements and representations to the Chilean authorities jointly with our partners when circumstances warrant this. In the case of Mr. Tricot we made a special démarche in Santiago with the kind assistance of one of our partners. Ireland has consistently voted in favour of resolutions criticising the lack of respect for human rights in Chile at international fora such as the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.