Inter-Parliamentary Union - British Group - PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR


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Delegation Reports

PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO GUATEMALA AND EL SALVADOR, 7 TO 14 JUNE 2006

Delegation

Wayne David MP – Leader
Labour

Denis Murphy MP
Labour

Lord Rea
Labour

David Wilshire MP
Conservative

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
Liberal Democrat

Baroness Scott of Needham Market
Liberal Democrat

Organising one visit to two countries was ambitious. It meant virtually double the amount of effort for a “normal” visit, but the extra effort certainly paid off.
Not only did the delegation obtain a valuable regional perspective on Central America, we were also able to draw comparisons between the two countries we visited.
Both Guatemala and El Salvador have much in common – the Maya civilisation which flourished in the first millennium AD; Spanish colonisation; a history of military and weak civilian governments; largely agrarian economies; widespread poverty and inequality; a high level of criminality; and in recent times bitter civil wars.
Our visit, however, enabled us to experience at first hand the political differences between the two countries.
In Guatemala, our packed programme included meetings with the country’s President, the Government’s human rights ombudsman, NGOs and the leaders of all the country’s main political parties.
One of the high points of our visit to Guatemala was a long and fascinating discussion which we had with the Party leaders in the Guatemalan Congress.
With the divisions caused by the civil war still very apparent, our hosts were keen to learn more about our experiences in Northern Ireland. We, in turn, wished to hear about the progress being made in Guatemala.
When we arrived in El Salvador, we received the same warmth and hospitality that we received in Guatemala.
Our hosts had put together an impressive, if onerous, programme for us. Here too we met the President of the country and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, met human rights NGOs, had a fascinating meeting with FUSADES (a leading economic and social think tank) and had a number of extremely useful exchanges with NGOs, representatives of the business community and leading politicians from across the political spectrum.
In El Salvador especially, we found a high degree of optimism. Compared with Guatemala, El Salvador has a more deeply rooted political culture. This, in turn, helps to explain why the human rights situation is improving, business confidence is increasing and why, despite huge social problems, there is a sense of real progress being made.
Towards the end of our visits to each country, we had an opportunity to visit two “projects”. The first was Casa Alianza in Guatemala City. This is a well established project for street children.
In El Salvador we visited a small community by the name of Little England. This is a village which has been supported by one English donor in particular and NGOs.
At both projects we were genuinely impressed by the outstanding work which was being done. Despite the undoubted problems faced by both Guatemala and El Salvador, such projects show the human spirit at its best.
Finally, I would like to record my thanks to the British Ambassador based in Guatemala, Ian Hughes, the Chargé d'Affaires, Karen Miller, and the staff of the IPU for their meticulous planning and support.
This was an extremely worthwhile visit, and I found it to be a privilege and a pleasure to lead such a knowledgeable, committed and amiable delegation.