Foreign Affairs Committee on Feb. 9th, 2023

[Roberto Rodriguez]

The government is fully committed to promoting and protecting human rights. As I mentioned in my intervention, once we had these irreplaceable losses of life, the government reacted immediately, inviting the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to pay a visit, even the office of the high commissioner of the UN. It was open to giving all the materials, all the information that was requested by the prosecutor's office and the attorney general's office, to try to figure out what happened.

To avoid the situation that happened in the past, the government has established dialogue and dissuasion as the first line of defence in all public demonstrations, avoiding the use of force at all times. When legitimate use of force must be made, the government has ordered that all actions be accompanied by the presence of representatives of the public prosecutor's office to safeguard the rights of all parties involved and to open all necessary investigations.

I can give you an example. Last week, we had 70 points of blockades all over the country. In one week, we now have 58, so we have been able to diminish 21 with the participation of the police and the support of the armed forces. In doing this, we didn't have any injured people or deceased people. The most important thing right now is the dialogue, so the police are convincing these people.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Is there an investigation happening with respect to the police action and how that loss of life took place—specifically around the police action and military action?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Yes. As I mentioned in my intervention, the Government of Peru is committed to providing all facilities to the public prosecutor's office to conduct investigations leading to the identification and necessary prosecution and punishment of those responsible for causing damages to life and the physical integrity of public and private property as a result of the protests and acts of vandalism. Those cases of excessive, disproportionate and alleged illegitimate use of force are being investigated and will be sanctioned as appropriate. The judiciary will perform its functions with autonomy, taking into account the separation of powers and the rule of law.

We truly seek justice as it should be done. The government, as I mentioned, is providing all of the information required by the prosecutor's office and the attorney general's office.

[Sameer Zuberi, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

We will now go to Mr. Bergeron.

Mr. Bergeron, you have six minutes.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Gentlemen, His Excellency the Ambassador, thank you for being with us this morning.

As you can imagine, we're concerned about the situation currently unfolding in Peru, and it's of great concern to us for a number of reasons.

Canada and Peru are part of the Organization of American States. Quebec, whose official and common language is French, is part of Latin America.

Canada provided nearly $31 million in aid to Peru in 2020–21. This support was intended, among other things, to improve accountability, transparency and efficiency in the delivery of government services.

The focus is also on “promoting a vibrant civil society and the protection of human rights, including indigenous populations, by advancing gender equality and women's and girls' rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights”.

On January 27, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned the violence used to disperse protesters at the facilities of the National University of San Marcos in Lima a week earlier.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights also noted that Peru's national police raided the university using multipurpose armoured vehicles and arrested 193 people, including a pregnant woman, several children, indigenous people, elderly people, students and four journalists, who were later released. As reported, 59 people unfortunately lost their lives in the course of these violent events.

We're concerned about what is happening in your country.

Is there anything that Peru wants from Canada to resolve the current situation in Peru?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I think today, more than ever, Peru needs the strong support of countries that promote democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights, such as Canada, in order to protect democratic institutions and the rule of law in Peru.

We're aware that the actions of December 7 are the immediate cause of the political crisis we're experiencing and that they have pushed the response capacity of our institutions to the limit, without ignoring the structural problems of inequality that exist in Peru.

In this difficult context that my country's going through, the support for democracy and institutions that we have been receiving from Canada is highly appreciated. It constitutes a tangible demonstration of the profound relationship of friendship, respect and co-operation that exists between the two countries.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

I am sorry to press His Excellency, but beyond this simple expression of intent, this simple show of interest by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, are you expecting anything specific from Canada?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Canada is closely following what's going on in my country right now, and we do value the concern that it has as a country because of the situation we're facing right now.

The transition of government.... President Boluarte right now is trying to set up dialogue tables with all the parties concerned regarding this crisis we're facing. For us, the main objective is to have this dialogue. If there is a protest, we need to identify who the leaders are of these groups that are protesting and demanding that. The ministers have been travelling extensively all over the Peruvian territory, including the considered hot spots in Puno, Arequipa and Huancavelica, so the disposition of the government for having a dialogue is very important.

Obviously, for us it's very important that the international community follow this closely. This is a support that we.... You say, no, this is just a statement, but those statements are very important. The words of the Government of Canada for us are very important. It's not just an expression of support made just by Canada. There are now other countries in the region that are doing the same. We do value the participation and the follow-up that Canada is doing regarding the current situation that my country is facing. I can tell you that I have been in permanent contact with my colleagues at Global Affairs Canada.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

How do you explain the fact that the decision to preserve democratic institutions in the country has resulted in the social and political situation deteriorating to this extent in the space of a few weeks?

The process was supposed to protect and reinforce democratic institutions. How do you explain that the process has nevertheless resulted in a situation of this kind?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

We are working with total transparency. We have openness, transparency and accountability. We try to defend the full freedom of press and speech. Judicial institutions are operating with full autonomy. Citizens exercise their right to demonstrate. The government has the obligation to guarantee order and the rights of all Peruvians threatened by violent groups trying to impose their own agenda.

The government is aware of the delicate social-political situation and the complexities of reaching a solution to resolve a historic debt with regions and sectors of the population that have been marginalized for many years.

For this reason, as I mentioned, the government has been deploying its best efforts to restore internal order, safeguarding the integrity of its population and its critical infrastructure in full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Right now the government is working on it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

We now go to Ms. McPherson.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you very much for being here, Your Excellency.

It's of course a sad opportunity for you to be here. I have great memories of my time spent in Peru, and I know that all of us here at this table are very saddened by what's happening in your country. I'm going to ask some questions that may echo a bit of what some of my colleagues have asked, just to give you an opportunity to share more information.

In recent weeks, we know, you've met with Canadian civil society, including Amnesty International, and of course they've raised some very serious allegations about the Peruvian authorities' violent repression of protesters. In recent weeks, attacks on protesters, who are often the most vulnerable and marginalized Peruvians, have continued in Peru.

Peru, like all countries, does of course have an obligation under international law to respect the rights of citizens. That of course includes the right to safe protests. I do understand that you've identified that there are different groups of protesters. I'm wondering if you could speak a little more clearly about the plans to launch a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of human rights violations during the protests.

[Roberto Rodriguez]

I totally agree with you that there has to be an impartial investigation. This is something that we received as a message from the NGOs related to human rights. When I had the opportunity to meet with the secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, she was very vocal in conveying that message. I duly noted that, and I reported that to my capital.

I think the most direct answer that I can give you is this tangible example of the government: When all these terrible, irreplaceable losses of life happened, the government reacted immediately. When I say “immediately”, it was the day after. We invited in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and not just its regional body, and also the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. That was a tangible example of how we do care about human rights.

Besides that, there's an ongoing investigation developed by the prosecutor's office and the attorney general's office, which are autonomous agencies that do not have any relationship with the executive branch or the legislative branch. They've already had meetings with former members of the cabinet, current members of the cabinet and high-ranking officers of the government. The government has provided a lot of the material requested by the attorney general's office. That's an important investigation.

In the international arena and in the national arena, we are answering and taking care regarding these requests made by the NGOs. Many people know that it is necessary to have an impartial investigation. We do believe in that.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you.

How will your government address the ongoing marginalization, discrimination and denial of rights particularly in rural and indigenous communities? That is an area that I think all people around the world are quite concerned about with regard to these protests. Can you provide some information on that, please?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Yes. Thank you for the question.

We are developing every effort to undertake a process of national dialogue with an intercultural and human rights approach in order to reach a consensual solution to the difficult situation the country is going through. The only peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution that has been seen for the political crisis in Peru is to hold early elections. As you aware, Peru is recognized as a multicultural, multilingual country, with more than 50 native ethnic groups—Andean, Amazonian—in addition to Peruvians and international migrants.

In this sense, the intercultural approach is sharing both ideas and differences with the intention of developing a deeper understanding of different perspectives and practices. When the ministers are going to the regions in the Andes, in the south, in the centre or in the Amazon region, they are doing this intercultural approach.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

When you are having these conversations with indigenous communities and indigenous leadership, do you feel that they see that as sufficient to ensuring that their rights are being protected? Do the communities themselves feel that it is a sufficient response?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

That's the idea and purpose of the approaches and conversations. I cannot tell you, right now, how the dialogues are evolving, but the objective is to have an intercultural approach with the communities and original peoples from not just the Andes but also the Amazon region.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you.

Mr. Chair, that's fine. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you very much, Ms. McPherson.

We will now turn to Mr. Epp for the second round of questioning.

You have four minutes, Mr. Epp.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Ambassador and officials, for coming to us today.

In October, Peru hosted the Organization of American States' annual meeting. I had the opportunity to visit. I was in your Congress and met with five of your congressmen. What is to be celebrated, from my perspective—from all of ours, I think—is that your constitution held through a very difficult period.

Here in Canada, we also have regional differences. We have indigenous folks. We represent those interests through five different parties in our Parliament.

My understanding is that—please correct me if I'm wrong—there are 16 parties in your Congress. Could you clarify that? That's far more than here in Canada. My understanding is also that former president Castillo was elected with about 16% of the popular vote. That background may help us understand and appreciate how your constitution held.

Go ahead, please, sir.

[Roberto Rodriguez]

Thank you for the question.

Yes, within our Congress, you can count more than eight political parties, so the voting is dispersed—if we can say that.

Regarding the election of former president Castillo.... In our constitution, to get elected as president, you have to get, in the first round, 50% plus one vote of the legally admitted votes, which is a special formula we have in our country. In the first round, President Castillo roughly reached 17% to 18% of the total vote, and the second candidate had 12%, or something like that. Therefore, they went to the second round, and President Castillo won by 49,000 votes, roughly speaking.

That's the process we have for electing our president.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Thank you.

There are ongoing protests. You've elaborated on how they've been peacefully dealt with, in the interim—since the transition. It's not unsurprising, with that many divergent voices.

Can you characterize the protests, particularly as they relate to the push for constitutional changes? Are the protests being held at present generally of one voice? Is there one predominant message or a wide variety of messages?

[Roberto Rodriguez]

If I may, let me go back, as this is something that, in some way, addresses your question.

Our Minister of Foreign Affairs recently made statements to local media. She was clearly stating that the ongoing investigation into what happened in Peru will uncover the source of the funds of those financing the violent groups. Recently, the judiciary detained two people allegedly linked to the financing. We are closely following the outcome of these investigations.

Unfortunately, we witnessed violent groups taking advantage of these demonstrations—as was mentioned earlier—in order to commit serious attacks against law enforcement, public and private property and critical infrastructure. This is very important to take into account.

Since the protests began, the airports of Arequipa, Cuzco, Juliaca, Andahuaylas and Ayacucho—five airports—have been attacked 18 times, some of them simultaneously. Likewise, more than 40 offices of public institutions have been attacked, including six superior courts, 14 offices of the judiciary, 13 police stations and several offices of the public prosecutor. In addition, there have been attacks on private property, such as the houses of congressmen in the provinces, as well as the looting of companies and businesses.

A total of 4,084 judicial files were burned during acts of vandalism against judicial offices of the superior courts of Arequipa, Apurimac, Ayacucho, Huancavelica and Puno. According to the judicial powers, the joint political motivation of possibly burning judicial files—in order to obstruct judicial processes in areas highly affected by illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, illegal mining or smuggling—has not been discarded.

These acts of violence must be categorically rejected by all citizens who seek a democratic country. Again, I say that violence is an unacceptable way to address social demands.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you.

We go now to MP Sarai.

You have four minutes, Mr. Sarai.