Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 6

Written Answers. - Guatemalan Human Rights Abuses.

Nora Owen

Question:

17 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights abuses which have been escalating in recent months in Guatemala and the current situation with regard to the process of the peace talks.

Paul McGrath

Question:

39 Mr. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights abuses which have been escalating in recent months in Guatemala and the current situation with regard to the process of the peace talks.

Edward Nealon

Question:

59 Mr. Nealon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights abuses which have been escalating in recent months in Guatemala and the current situation with regard to the process of the peace talks.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 39 and 59 together.

The human rights situation in Guatemala has been one of great concern to Ireland and to our partners in the European Union for a considerable number of years past and is a matter of intense discussion each year at the United Nations Commission for Human Rights. The commission has recently extended the mandate of the independent expert to examine the situation of human rights in Guatemala and provide assistance to the Government in the field of human rights.

I have been very concerned at reports of an escalation of human rights abuses in Guatemala in recent months. I was appalled at the assassination on 2 April 1994 of the President of the Constitutional Court. Along with our partners in the European Union, Ireland has called on the Government of Guatemala to thoroughly investigate this issue and bring its perpetrators to justice. We have also urged the Guatemalan Government to continue its efforts to promote the peace process, respect for human rights and the democratic order.

As Deputies will be aware, the Government of Guatemala and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union — URNG — are engaged in peace negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. At the end of March 1994 both parties signed a human rights accord under which a United Nations mission will be established inside Guatemala as soon as possible. It will be empowered to visit any part of the country and demand information at any time from the Army and the Government.

Along with our partners in the European Union, Ireland will continue to encourage and support these peace negotiations with a view to ensuring a return to peace, the rule of law and full respect for human rights in Guatemala.