Vol. 407 No. 7
55 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of violations of human rights in Peru; if he proposes any action to highlight Ireland's concern in relation to this issue; and in particular, his views on whether the restoration of Ireland's honorary consul in Peru could help to strengthen Ireland's international campaign to highlight both the human rights abuses and the current cholera epidemic.
I and my colleagues in the EC have for some considerable time past followed with attention developments in Peru, including the human rights area.
Every effort has been and continues to be made by the EC member states to encourage the new President to make all possible efforts to ensure full respect for human rights.
In his inaugural speech President Fujimori stated that "the unconditional respect and promotion of human rights will be a firm line of action during my Government". On the occasion of the investiture of the President the Community and its member states issued a statement in which they expressed the hope that Peru would rediscover the path of peace and development in full respect of the fundamental rights of the human person.
In its ongoing dialogue with the countries of Latin America the Community takes every opportunity of making those countries aware of the concern of the EC member states in relation to violations of human rights. The question of human rights in Peru has also been raised through the human rights procedures of the United Nations.
In regard to the cholera epidemic and as stated in the Dáil recently, Ireland has contributed an allocation of £20,000 from the disaster relief fund in response to the appeal by the Peruvian Government for international assistance.
The fact that we do not at present have an honorary consul in Peru has not detracted from the attention which Ireland has paid and continues to pay to the problems in that country. I am currently considering candidates to fill the post of honorary consul in that country.
