UN's acting rights chief praises moves by Argentina, Peru to boost civil liberties

The Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has saluted both Argentina and Peru in their respective bids to deal decisively with impunity and strengthen civil liberties and democracy in order to come to terms with painful episodes in their histories.

"It is heartening to see the work being done so that justice in Argentina can prevail, even if some did their best in the past to see it denied," Bertrand Ramcharan said in a statement issued Friday in Geneva.

Mr. Ramcharan highlighted recent moves by Argentina's judiciary, legislature and President, Nestor Kirchner, that bring trial and punishment for those responsible for human rights violations committed between 1976 and 1983 one step closer. These measures include the Argentine Chamber of Deputies declaration on 12 August that the Full Stop and Due Obedience Laws - also known as the amnesty laws - were null and void.

"The Government of Argentina has shown it is willing to deal decisively with impunity," Mr. Ramcharan said. "This is essential if the country is to heal the wounds left by years of dictatorship and to show that those who suffered terrible human rights violations have not been forgotten."

In a separate statement, Mr. Ramcharan said that as Peru's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) prepares to issue its final report next week, support for the group is more necessary now than ever. The TRC was created to provide an official record of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed in Peru between May 1980 and November 2000, and to recommend measures to strengthen human rights and democracy, is set to release its findings on 28 August.

The TRC has held numerous public hearings, collected over 17,000 testimonies, and developed a consolidated register on "disappeared" persons. It has also documented grave human rights violations committed by security forces, including disappearances, extrajudicial executions and torture.

At the same time, Mr. Ramcharan expressed concern over reports that the commission has recently been the target of attacks and pressure in the run up to the release of its findings, and he called for backing for the panel.

"We in the international human rights community must show, now more than ever, our support for the TRC, which I believe is an essential institution in helping Peru to heal and move forward towards a future of justice and respect for the human rights of all its people," he said.