Dick Spring
Question:28 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has been in contact with the Brazilian authorities to ensure the safety of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22343/00]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
The person to whom the question relates, an Irish citizen, has been working in Brazil for the past 18 years and is an adviser to the Centre for Human Rights in Manaus in Amazon State. The centre aims to educate the poverty stricken people of the area about basic civil liberties. Because of her involvement in a particular case, the person concerned received death threats some months ago but she has since moved to a different part of Manaus and the threats have ceased. The Irish Embassy in Lisbon, which is accredited to Brazil, has been in direct contact with this person recently and she has confirmed that she is safe and well.
I take this opportunity to commend the work being carried out by this person. She has indicated that the philosophy of the human rights centre is one of collaboration and dialogue between Government and non-Government institutions to ensure a strengthening in the public accountability of all those who have a responsibility for social structures, especially where the weaker and more vulnerable members of society are concerned.
Question No. 29 taken with Question No. 9.