Written question asked by Colin Burgon (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 June 2009. It was answered by Chris Bryant (Labour) on Friday, 19 June 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Peru: Ethnic Groups

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Peru on the establishment of an independent investigation into the recent deaths of indigenous people during incidents of violence in Peru.

Answer: Since the outbreak of violence on 5 June we have urged all sides to avoid further violence and resolve the dispute through dialogue. This has included contacts between our ambassador to Peru together with EU colleagues and the Peruvian Foreign Minister and between our director for the Americas and the Peruvian ambassador to the UK. We are pleased that a formal dialogue mechanism has now been established between the Government and indigenous leaders. We welcome the Peruvian Government's invitation to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People to investigate these events and the decision by the Peruvian Congress to appoint a multiparty Congressional Commission to carry out its own investigation.

Secondary information