§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from Her Majesty's ambassador in Santiago regarding(a) the medical student Mauricio Guyaley, arrested and tortured, (b) Maria Elena Valeuzuela student of obstetrics, arrested and tortured, and (c) Cristiau Banaza, student of occupational therapy, arrested by the police in Santiago on 12 July.
§ Mr. MellorWe understand from Her Majesty's embassy in Santiago that all three students were arrested during a violent demonstration on 11 July. They have been seen by the dean of the faculty of medicine at Santiago university, who has reported that they are in good health. We understand that there have been no allegations of torture.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's embassy in Santiago has joined the Spanish and French embassies in making representations to the Government in Chile about the arrest and torture of university students.
§ Mr. MellorWe understand from Her Majesty's embassy in Santiago, which we asked to make urgent inquiries, that the French and Spanish embassies have made no representations about these arrests. We understand that there have been no allegations of torture.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will approach other European Community Governments in order to discuss a common approach to the future elections in Chile after the events of last week in Santiago.
§ Mr. MellorOn 18 July 1988 the Foreign Ministers of the 12 members of the European Community issued the following statement:
The Twelve reiterate their hope for an early and orderly restoration of democracy in Chile and recall their attachment to free and democratic elections in that country, as expressed in their declaration of 9 October 1987. They are convinced that restoration of democracy in Chile would contribute to strengthening civilian rule and stability in Latin America.Taking note of the forthcoming plebiscite, the Twelve wish to stress the need for all measures to be taken so that the campaign be conducted and the vote take place in a way guaranteeing the free expression of the people's will and in a climate free of violence and intimidation.
In particular, the Twelve believe that for the proper conduct of the plebiscite it is essential that the Chilean Government without delay lifts the states of exception, restores political liberties, respects human rights and ensures freedom of information and opinion.