§ Lord Clarke of Hampsteadasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will be making representations to the Peruvian Government concerning the case of Colonel David de Vinatea, imprisoned on narco-trafficking charges, who remains in prison despite the conclusions of human rights organisations that he is entirely innocent of the charges against him. [HL3247]
§ The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)We understand that the sentence of Col. David de Vinatea has been commuted and he is currently awaiting release. Our embassy in Lima is closely monitoring his case and we hope that release will be soon. The Foreign Office has consistently lobbied the Peruvian authorities concerning the issue of unlawful imprisonment. Since March 1998, we have contributed over £140,000 to assist the work of the Peruvian Ad-Hoc Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Ombudsman in investigating the cases of those unjustly accused. On their recommendations, over 400 prisoners have been released to date.