JCP lawmaker demands that Peruvian indigenous people's rights be protected

Japan Press Weekly

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JCP lawmaker demands that Peruvian indigenous people's rights be protected

Japanese Communist Party representative Kasai Akira in the Diet demanded that the Peruvian indigenous people's rights be protected regarding a Japan-Peru investment agreement.

On June 17, Kasai questioned the government at a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee meeting that discussed investment agreements and social security agreements with various countries, including Peru.

Pointing out that the development project in the Amazon that require easing of regulations provoked the widespread protests by indigenous people against the Peruvian government policy, Kasai asked the government to explain its view regarding how the indigenous people's rights can be protected.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ito Shintaro said, "The agreement allows the Peruvian government to limit investments for reasons regarding the well-being of indigenous people.

Kasai also pointed out that some of the disputes spreading throughout Peru's mines are taking place due to foreign capital's flagrant contamination of water in connection with the development of mines.

Councilor at the Foreign Ministry Secretariat Hiramatsu Kenji conceded that environmental destruction caused by mining is very serious in Peru and said, "Japan and Peru in their joint statement declared that they will actively cooperate with each other to prevent the environment from being damaged, and based on this agreement the two countries are trying to strengthen necessary measures."

He said that the environmental issues will be discussed at the meeting of the subcommittee for the improvement of the investment environment.

? Akahata, June 19, 2009