Counter-terrorism: UN human rights expert to visit Peru

GENEVA (30 August 2010) - The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Martin Scheinin, will undertake an official visit to Peru from 1 to 8 September, at the invitation of the Government.

The Special Rapporteur is scheduled to have high level meetings with Government officials, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, of the Interior, of Justice, and of Defence, as well as the Attorney-General. He is further expected to engage with the judiciary, law enforcement, parliamentarians, the Ombudsperson, and various national commissions for the promotion and protection of human rights. He will also meet with representatives of the international community, victims of terrorism and of human rights violations, lawyers, academics, and non-governmental organizations.

During his mission to the country, the UN expert will visit Lima and the regions of Ayacucho and Cusco, where he will also visit places of detention to interview persons suspected of or convicted for terrorist crimes, and attend terrorism trials.

At the end of his visit, on Wednesday, 8 August 2010, at 4pm, the Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference to share his preliminary observations with journalists at the Office of the United Nations Development Programme in Lima (Av. Perez Aranibar 750 Magdalena del Mar).

Mr. Scheinin will present a mission report containing his findings relating to Peru’s counter-terrorism legislation and practice and concrete recommendations to the 16th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in March 2011, with the objective of helping to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the fight against terrorism.

ENDS

Martin Scheinin was appointed Special Rapporteur by the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights in August 2005. The mandate was renewed by the Human Rights Council in December 2007. As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any Government and serves in his individual capacity. He is Professor of Public International Law at the European University Institute in Florence.

For more informationand media requests please contact: Mr. Nikolaus Schultz, United Nations Human Rights Officer (phone: +41-79 509-0557, e-mail: nschultz@ohchr.org) or, Ms. Inés Scudellari, United Nations Information Officer, (phone: (+51-1 441-8745, e-mail: ines.scudellari@unic.org)