Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 1

Written Answers. - Peruvian Human Rights Abuse.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

256 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in the light of the evidence which is continuously emerging from Peru, the Irish Government will make a formal submission to the Peruvian President urging him to have all cases involving human rights abuses properly investigated and to ensure that the perpetrators of such abuses are brought to justice.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

Together with partners in the Twelve we are following closely the situation in Peru. Terrorist violence being perpetrated on a widespread basis by the Sendero Luminoso or Shining Path guerillas against public figures, commercial enterprises and the state infrastructure has led to a state of emergency being introduced in many parts of the country. This situation has given rise to serious concern about human rights on the part of the international community, including the Twelve.

The Peruvian authorities have provided the Twelve with information on measures introduced by them with a view to upholding respect for human rights. These include the establishment of the "Consejo Por La Paz" or Council for Peace, comprising representatives of the civilian population including the church, the universities and the trade unions. The Council has been charged with the task of drafting a national peace accord and of recommending ways of strengthening the public prosecutions department and the criminal justice system. In addition a Government decree has been passed giving public prosecutors unrestricted access and allowing the Red Cross unlimited visits to detention centres controlled by the armed forces in areas where the state of emergency is in force. The Peruvian Government have also invited a delegation from the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights to visit Peru and to compile a report on the human rights situation there.

Ireland continues to remain concerned at the situation in Peru. We will be following closely all developments arising from the latest measures adopted by the Peruvian authorities.