Brendan Howlin
Question:26 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will comment on the recent presidential elections in Peru; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16831/00]
Written Answers. - Peru Elections.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:38 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government shares the view of international monitors that the recent Presidential elections in Peru were not free and fair; and, if so, the action the European Union should take on the matter. [16913/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 38 together.
The Government has closely followed developments in Peru, including the recent Presidential elections, and together with our partners in the European Union, we have been active in articulating our concerns about developments both directly to the Peruvian authorities in Lima and in appropriate international fora.
At the recent session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Ireland was fully associated with a statement made by the Portuguese EU Presidency on behalf of the Union as a whole which noted with alarm the decline in Peru of the rule of law including the deterioration in the electoral process. The statement expressed the Union's concern about practices which seriously undermine the separation of powers, the lack of due process particularly where military penal courts of justice are concerned, disrespect for procedural guarantees, harassment of human rights defenders, journalists and opposition political leaders, extra-judicial executions, torture and appalling conditions in detention centres.
In view of the deep concern of the Irish and other EU Governments regarding aspects of the conduct of the Peruvian election campaign, the Portuguese Presidency issued a further statement on behalf of the EU on 7 April, just prior to the first round of elections – in Lisbon, Brussels and Lima – drawing attention to the fact that the Union was closely monitoring the electoral process, and urging the authorities to adopt all the necessary measures to ensure that the Peruvian people could express their will in freedom and democracy, without undue pressure of any kind.
Following reliable reports of widespread irregularities and anomalies in the first round of the process, and concerns regarding the vote- counting software, the Organisation of American States and the European Union pressed for a postponement of the second round of elections scheduled for 28 May. However, the Peruvian authorities chose to proceed, notwithstanding the decision of the challenger, Alejandro Toledo, to boycott the election. Both OAS and other international observers, including a number from EU countries, withdrew from Peru before 28 May, and the Portuguese Presidency issued a statement on behalf of the EU expressing our deep concern at the decision to proceed with the second round.
Following the announcement that President Fujimori had won the uncontested second round, the OAS Electoral Observer Mission, led by former Guatemalan Foreign Minister Eduardo Stein, issued a report condemning the conduct of the election. Meeting at their annual General Assembly in Canada last week, OAS Foreign Ministers agreed to dispatch a mission to Peru, led by Canadian Foreign Minister Axworthy and OAS Secretary-General Gaviria, with the aim of strengthening democracy there. In a statement issued on 9 June, the Portuguese Presidency, on behalf of the European Union, welcomed the OAS mission, reiterated its concern about irregularities in the electoral process, and expressed support for democratic forces in Peru which seek to reinforce institutions and to safeguard political freedoms and the rule of law. The statement also urged the Peruvian Government to work for consensus with all political forces in the country to find ways to strengthen democracy. The EU is closely following the situation in Peru as it develops, and against that background, will review its relations with Lima.
It is the Government's view that the progress made over the past decade in the consolidation of democracy in Latin America must not be lost. This view is central to our policy, and that of the EU as a whole, towards Peru and the entire Latin American region.