E/CN.4/2005/85/Add.4 page 10 to Manaus, Brazil. In Colombia, the city of Leticia also attracts migrants to some extent, although Colombia’s domestic conflict and stringent monitoring of the movement of persons would appear to discourage flows of migrants in that direction. Undocumented Peruvian traders are reportedly expelled from Leticia every day and their wares confiscated. The Special Rapporteur was informed that the conditions of work of Peruvians in an irregular administrative situation in the Colombian and Brazilian sectors of the triple-border region were subhuman. B. Protection of the human rights of Peruvians abroad Consular protection and assistance to Peruvians abroad 32. The Office of the Under-Secretary for Peruvian Communities Abroad, which reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for the promotion and protection of the rights of Peruvian citizens abroad. This work is carried out by its departments for consular affairs, legal support and humanitarian assistance and by Peru’s consular offices abroad. 33. The Office informed the Special Rapporteur that in September 2001 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had instructed all its consular offices to promote the establishment of “advisory councils” for Peruvian communities abroad. These councils are autonomous, independent, non-profit making associations that aim to be representative of Peruvian communities living abroad. The councils are set up as forums for dialogue and consultation with the head of the consular office and their functions include: the transmission of requests and suggestions for the improvement of consular services; basic legal and humanitarian assistance; the protection of the rights of Peruvian migrants; and encouragement for the integration of their compatriots into the country and society in which they live. Regulations on the organization and functions of the advisory councils12 were drawn up to regulate their establishment and operation. The councils are composed of not less than 3 and not more than 10 Peruvian citizens elected by Peruvians of full legal age resident in the jurisdiction of the consular office. To date, 80 advisory councils have been elected in 80 consular offices. 34. The Office commented that in some cases problems had arisen in the relations between the advisory councils and the consular offices due to differences in the interpretation of the regulations governing the councils, the predominance of private or group interests over the general interest, excessive checking or monitoring of the authorities and the use of the councils as a political platform. 35. In a letter the Special Rapporteur received during her visit, the former chairmen of the advisory council of the Swiss cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais13 said that they believed it was a matter of extreme importance to maintain the forum for participation created by these councils.14 They acknowledged that the experience had not been without difficulties since it involved a learning process in democratic participation both for Peruvian citizens and for the diplomats and officials concerned. They confirmed that there had been numerous situations in which the councils had been divided as a result of citizens’ political or personal problems. They added, however, that some diplomats had been reluctant to dialogue with the councils and had had difficulty in accepting the participation of Peruvian emigrants in consular affairs. Despite these problems, they considered that the overall balance was positive. The former chairmen of this council, however, deplored the discriminatory and contemptuous treatment that Peruvians often met with in their country’s consular offices.15