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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

231 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to human rights abuses in Peru, with particular regard to the coercive sterilisation of Peruvian women; his plans to deal effectively with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1021/01]

The Government has closely followed developments in human rights in Peru and, together with our partners in the European Union, we have been active in articulating our concerns both directly to the Peruvian authorities in Lima and in appropriate international fora.

At the last session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in March-April 2000, Ireland was fully associated with a statement on Peru made by the Portuguese EU Presidency on behalf of the Union as a whole. The statement on Peru expressed the Union's concern about practices there 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, of journalists and opposition political leaders, extra-judicial executions and torture and appalling conditions in detention centres. It also deplored the July 1999 withdrawal by Peru from the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which weakened the protection of the individual guarantees afforded by that regional system for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

However, the turbulent events of recent months culminating in the resignation on 19 November last of President Fujimori, the selection of Valentin Paniagua, the former congressional president, as Fujimori's interim successor, and his appointment of Javier Perez de Cuellar, the former United Nations Secretary-General, as Prime Minister, have raised hopes of a significant improvement in the political and human rights situation in the country. Mr. Paniagua further underlined his democratic credentials by calling early presidential elections for 8 April next. The Congress has underscored its commitment to human rights by its decision on 12 January to return Peru to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Ireland will closely follow the progress of the situation in Peru as it develops, including through our embassy in Mexico City which is now accredited to Lima. Together with our EU partners, we will continue to stress to Peru the importance of full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. In addition, we have nominated three observers as candidates for participation in the EU election observation mission which will monitor the forthcoming presidential elections.
With regard to the specific issue of allegations of coercive sterilisation of Peruvian women, I refer the Deputy to the reply given to Question No. 220.
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