§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the attacks carried out against human rights workers in Guatemala; [78774]
(2) what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Guatemala; [78773]
(3) what representations he has made to the Government of Guatemala regarding implementation of the commitments it made to the Grupo Consultivo in February. [78775]
§ Mr. RammellThe human rights situation in Guatemala has improved since the end of the civil war in 1996. But it remains unsatisfactory. MINUGUA250W (UN Verification Mission to Guatemala) has expressed deep concern at the increase in intimidation against human rights activists, politicians, members of the judiciary and media involved in efforts to confront impunity. The UK shares MINUGUA's concerns and will continue to work with the EU to urge the Government of Guatemala to take all necessary measures to protect these groups and bring human rights abusers to justice quickly.
When my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) visited Guatemala in May this year he saw for himself the difficulties facing human rights defenders. In his discussions with the Government, he emphasised the importance HMG attaches to human rights.
HMG urges the Government of Guatemala to implement all unfulfilled commitments under the Peace Accords, particularly those relating to human rights. The UK, with the EU, will continue to monitor the human rights' situation in Guatemala, and the Government's efforts to honour their commitments.
International donors (including the UK) will review the Guatemalan Government's progress at the follow-up meeting of the Consultative Group (The "Group Consultivo")in spring 2003. This will not be a formality.