Peru (Hansard, 17 April 2000)

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the issue of alleged electoral fraud in Peru with the Peruvian Government. [118945]

§ Mr. Battle
The UK has played a leading role in calling for higher standards in the electoral process in Peru. We have financed two reports this year which have highlighted the deficiencies, and copies of these reports have been sent to the Peruvian Government as well as being circulated widely internationally. We were instrumental in organising a critical EU statement on 7 April in advance of the vote. On 12 April, after the vote, I issued a statement which was delivered through our Embassy in Lima to the Peruvian President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. In it I suggested a second round was both desirable and sensible in the light of widespread concerns, including that of the two British observers, my right hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge and Chryston (Mr. Clarke) and the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr. Ross).
Since the declaration of a second round, I have issued a further statement (on 13 April) expressing the hope that the next round will be held in conditions that are free, fair and transparent. We shall be working with our EU colleagues to impress on the Peruvian authorities the need for them to conform to international standards.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports of alleged malpractice during the first-round ballot of the Peruvian Presidential election; and if he will make a statement. [119428]

§ Mr. Battle
Further to the answer I gave above to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) (UIN 118945), I remain concerned at allegations of irregularities during the Peruvian election campaign and on polling day itself on 9 April. I issued a statement on 13 April calling for the second round of voting to be held under conditions that were democratic, transparent and free from the irregularities of the first round. We shall be working with our EU colleagues to impress on the Peruvian authorities the need for them to conform to international standards in their electoral process.