Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
82. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his concerns have been highlighted to his Guatemalan counterpart regarding the continued attacks on human rights defenders in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3895/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the difficult situation which currently pertains for human rights defenders in Guatemala, and condemn unreservedly any act of intimidation or violence perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights.
Guatemala has made some strides in its political and social development over the past two decades since the gradual cessation of armed conflict from 1996 onwards. While overcoming the legacy of human rights crimes committed during the country’s civil war remains a challenge, it is essential to Guatemala’s future development. I urge the Government of Guatemala to address historical impunity at all levels and to fully investigate all incidents of violence, intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
To this end, the recent announcement of the Government of Guatemala that it would unilaterally terminate the 2006 Agreement with the UN establishing the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, CICIG, is deeply regrettable. Ireland fully supports the declaration made by the EU High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini earlier this month, which states that this announcement runs against Guatemala's legal obligations to the UN and against several rulings of the Constitutional Court, and calls on the Government to respect the country's constitutional order, in particular the independence of the Constitutional Court.
Since its establishment, the CICIG has been working effectively to combat corruption and impunity and to strengthen the rule of law in Guatemala. I urge the Government to allow CICIG to continue its important work until the end of the current mandate in September 2019, respecting the integrity of CICIG national and international personnel and affording them all necessary protection.
The situation in Guatemala is discussed regularly at EU level, and officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also meet regularly with human rights defenders and civil society organisations active in Guatemala.
Ireland took the opportunity of the 28th Session of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council on 8 November 2017 to express its concern in relation to attacks against human rights defenders in Guatemala. Ireland also noted that there have been worrying instances of harassment, intimidation and criminalisation of human rights defenders in the country.
Ireland’s statement recommended that Guatemala take all necessary steps to protect human rights defenders through the removal of legal and policy measures which inhibit the ability of human rights defenders to carry out their vital work in safety, without fear of interference, obstruction or harassment of any kind, including by finalising the Public Policy for the Protection of HRDs with strong participation by civil society and an adequate budgetary allocation.
While Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Guatemala City, we will continue to follow the situation in Guatemala closely, and to raise our concerns regarding threats against human rights defenders in discussions on Guatemala at EU and international level, in keeping with our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and working with partners on the ground.
