Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with his Peruvian counterpart on (a) supporting people campaigning on (i) indigenous, (ii) land, (iii) human rights and (iv) environmental issues and (b) the recent murder of Quinto Inuma in Peru.

I [Minister Rutley] visited Peru in October and held discussions with senior representatives of the Peruvian Government on a range of issues, such as the importance of protecting human rights including those of minority and indigenous groups. The British Embassy in Lima closely monitors the situation of human rights and environmental defenders in Peru and has regular discussions with representatives of these groups. I was saddened to hear of the tragic murder of Quinto Inuma Alvarado - whom I met recently in Peru and who spoke so passionately about protecting the Amazon. We will continue to work with the Peruvian Government and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Peru to help Peru make progress towards sustainable and inclusive development with respect for human rights.