Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am very pleased to accept your invitation to appear at the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development today to discuss before this distinguished gathering the current situation in Peru.
As you know, last December 7, former president Pedro Castillo attempted to disrupt democracy and stage a coup d'état. If former president Castillo had achieved this goal, today we would be facing a dictatorship ruling Peru.
Due to these actions, the Peruvian Congress declared his vacancy and former vice-president Dina Boluarte assumed the presidency of Peru, following a constitutional succession process in compliance with the rules of the Peruvian constitution.
I would like to emphasize that the decision of former president Castillo was harshly criticized by his own cabinet of ministers, the legislative and judicial branches, the public ministry, the ombudsman's office, political parties, foreign governments, public opinion in general and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
President Boluarte has proposed to Congress a path to move forward and resolve the current situation by advancing the time to have general elections, so that a new president can assume office by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
It is important to point out that the transition government from its first day set as a priority the implementation of policies to address the most urgent social demands of the population. It is relevant to highlight the installation of dialogue tables in several regions of the country in order to address the most pressing demands of the population. This is a mission that was assigned to the cabinet of ministers, aimed at building a direct communication channel between citizens and local, regional and central government authorities. Despite the willingness for dialogue offered by this new government, a series of demonstrations and justified protests arose in order to meet the social demands of the population.
It is very important to distinguish between the protests being made peacefully by a large part of the protesters exercising their rights of freedom, of expression and of demonstration, versus those by a group of people who have dedicated themselves to generating violence in the streets in the last weeks—especially in the south of the country—and seeking to impose their own agenda through these violent acts.
The Peruvian government does not seek to label any person who participates in the protest. The Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs has emphasized that the government identifies at least three types of protesters. First are those who have a legitimate demand as part of the great social gaps that afflict us as a society. Second are the supporters of former president Pedro Castillo who, through measures of pressure, seek to promote various political agendas, ranging from the release of the former president to the holding of a constituent assembly. Finally, there are violent groups that have committed proven attacks and acts of vandalism, and should be punished according to the law and the constitutional order.
I would like to reiterate that Peru recognizes the right to peaceful protest and remains firm and determined to bring order and provide security to all Peruvians when these violent groups use force, destroying critical infrastructure and endangering the safety and living conditions of the population. The Peruvian government has been emphatic in pointing out that it has not authorized violent repression against demonstrators in the protests.
The Government of Peru deeply regrets the loss of the irreplaceable lives of 59 of our citizens in the context of these demonstrations and the acts of violence occurring in our country. The competent entities, with full freedom and constitutional autonomy, are conducting investigations to clarify the truth and establish the applicable criminal responsibilities. Likewise, the government is accompanying the families of the victims and ensuring compensation for the tragic loss of their relatives.
Furthermore, I can clearly express that the government is providing any support and documented material needed so that justice will take its course and establish responsibilities following the due process of the law in all cases. President Boluarte and the government are committed to the investigations that are being carried out by the competent authorities and their subsequent results, which will be respected accordingly.
In addition, I would like to underscore that, acting with total transparency, the current government extended an invitation to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Peru and become acquainted with the human rights situation in the country.
In response to this invitation, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights conducted a visit between January 11 and 13, preceded by a preparatory technical mission that took place last December. For its part, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN visited the country on January 19 and 20. For the accomplishment of these visits, the Peruvian state provided all the facilities to meet with authorities, representatives of civil society and victims of the tragic events, and provided as well its full co-operation in order for them to carry out their activities.
Each of the more than 33 million Peruvians has human rights. We have the right to protest peacefully, the right to freedom of expression and opinion, the right to freedom of movement, the right to work and the right to access health and education. To guarantee these rights, we first need to restore social peace through an open and comprehensive dialogue between all parties involved, leaving behind violence, which is not the appropriate means to achieve political objectives.
It is the duty of the Peruvian state and its population to defend democratic institutionality and reinforce it, guaranteeing respect for the human rights of all Peruvians and ensuring a democratic constitutional transition to the next elected authorities. The Government of Peru believes that the solution to the current political situation is the advance call for new general elections. We do hope that the international community supports this constitutional and democratic process.
Finally, I wish to thank and recognize the valuable support of the Government of Canada and members of Parliament during President Boluarte's difficult transition period. lt is extremely important that we protect democracy and the rule of law, united with friendly governments who share our common values and principles. The Peruvian people want peace and prosperity and to build a better future for the country and its fellow citizens.
I would greatly appreciate your continued support during this period of transition. Canada and Peru have forged a long-standing, solid and friendly relationship as strong partners. We look forward to continuing to work closely to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, not just in our countries but throughout the region.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
