asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action taken by this country in regard to encouraging the restoration of democratic rights in Chile and the up-to-date situation in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Democratic Rights in Chile and EI Salvador.
21.
The ruling military junta of General Pinochet in Chile has promised the eventual restoration of the democratic right to a freely-elected Government. I have noted, however, that the Government have not yet set a date for relinquishing their control, and have stated that the armed forces can be expected to play a significant role in the political development of the country in the longer term.
While certain positive developments have taken place in the general area of human rights, such as the creation last year of the Chilean Commission for Human Rights, which the authorities have allowed to function, the freeing of all but about 50 political prisoners, increased press freedom and greater freedom of movement within and without Chile, it nevertheless remains a matter of grave concern that no substantive progress has been made in regard to democratic rights. The level of protection of human rights has not been maintained nor has there been any notable improvement in respect of the implementation of the elementary rights to freedom of association and expression.
Ireland, together with our partners in the Nine, has supported action by the UN General Assembly to facilitate the restoration of human and democratic rights in Chile. In recent years we have co-sponsored or supported General Assembly Resolutions which included a call for the restoration of democratic insitutions formely enjoyed by the Chilean people and the ending of the state of emergency. Last year Ireland supported the setting up of monitoring arrangements by a special rapporteur in respect of the human rights situation in Chile and subsequently supported the extension of mandate of the special rapporteur for a further year.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that the Government, together with our partners in the Nine, are following closely the situation in Chile and will actively pursue all efforts in international fora to help restore their democratic rights to the Chilean people.
Does the Minister consider there is any prospect of a response by the Pinochet regime to the international pressure on them? Does he feel that the present outlook is encouraging and that they will respond and restore democratic rights?
This is a very subjective question. Trying to make a value judgment on authoritarian regimes is always difficult from the outside. I deplore the type of regime operating there. What we can do effectively—and this applies to the most powerful countries outside Chile as well as to ourselves—is very limited, as the Deputy will appreciate.
Will the Minister assure the House that, so far as he can, he will continue to ensure that the pressure is maintained?
I will. We have made our position quite clear.
I appreciate the limited leverage we have. Did the Minister raise the question directly of the continued support for the Pinochet regime by the United States Government on his recent visit to the United States? If so, did the American President or Secretary of State respond?
I did not actually raise this with the United States Government. I had a number of other matters to raise which were more pertinent in the limited time I had at my disposal.
Does the Minister accept that the United States Government must accept responsibility in some part for the fall of the Allende Government and the establishment of the Pinochet regime and that the special relationship we have with the United States could have been put to some use in raising this matter?
I appreciate the special relationship we have with the United States Government. One of the aspects of that special relationship is that I do not propose to make any value judgments with regard to US relationships.
22.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the following matters for discussion on the issue of El Salvador in the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting on political co-operation: (a) that the Foreign Ministers propose an investigation of the violation of human rights, (b) that they, on behalf of the Nine, make a request to the United States Government to discontinue support for the Government in El Salvador with arms, (c) the calling by the Nine for a United Nations debate on El Salvador, together with an international arms embargo.
The Deputy will be aware that, in reply to a question from Deputy O'Keeffe in the Dáil on 29 April last, I indicated that I would take up the question of El Salvador among the Nine. As a first step my Department, on my instructions, have already sought discussion of El Salvador among the Nine at official level with a view to ascertaining the extent of agreement on action of the kind suggested by the Deputy.
Has the Minister received any representations from Irish missionaries or any communications from Irish citizens working in El Salvador in relation to the current happenings?
Yes. I had a number of letters from Irish missionaries, from a number of Irish Church personnel and a number of other lay people. I appreciate the seriousness of the situation which exists.
Since 29 April has the Minister made any representations directly on behalf of the Republic of Ireland to the United States Government concerning their continued military support for the present regime?
The most effective way we can operate is through the Community. That is why I have already taken an initiative. It will be on the agenda for the next meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Nine. I am seeking to have a discussion among us with a view to the Nine taking an initiative at official level. That is the most appropriate and the best way we can operate in this matter.
May I ask the Minister——
We must move on. We have dealt with 22 questions only in an hour and 20 minutes.
I have not delayed the House. Would the Minister be willing to reconsider trade links between countries like El Salvador and this country?
That is another aspect which can be examined.