Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 3

Written Answers. - Human Rights Violations in Guatemala.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

69 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs , in view of the recent reports from Amnesty International on the serious escalation in human rights violations in Guatemala, the action the Irish Government have taken on the matter at United Nations level; if it is intended to raise the matter in view of the discussion on Guatemala due under item 23 of the current session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission; if it is intended to raise the matter in the context of the proposed meeting of EC and Central American Foreign Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

The Government are seriously concerned at the evident recent increase in human rights violations in Guatemala. Our concern at the situation in Guatemala is shared by our partners in the European Communities and was voiced in the Presidency statement on human rights at the recent United National General Assembly (deliverd by France on 20 November 1989).

Since then, we and our partners in the EC have followed closely the evolution of the situation in Guatemala. In the light of developments there we will decide whether it would be appropriate to raise the situation in Guatemala at the current session of the Commission on Human Rights and at the forthcoming meeting of EC and Central American Foreign Ministers.