The issue of human rights is a priority concern of this Government and, as such, is a central component of our foreign policy. We believe that the international community has legitimate concerns in this area and we are conscious of the responsibility which devolves on all governments to promote and protect human rights.
In co-operation with our EU partners we continue to monitor closely the human rights situations in a number of countries. On many occasions we have identified situations giving cause for serious concern. For example, at the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva earlier this year, the common EU statement highlighted our concern at human rights violations in a number of countries, such as China, Chad, Cuba, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Niger, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Burundi, Rwanda, Belarus, Cambodia, Russian Republic of Chechnya, Colombia, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Kashmir, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Peru, Tajikistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Cyprus, Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Sri Lanka. In addition, the EU tabled resolutions on the human rights situation in Nigeria, Burma, Iran, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Occupied Arab Territories.
It may be necessary to address a number of these concerns again at the next session of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly in November. Hopefully, we will also be in a position to welcome improvements in this area as a result of international efforts and dialogue.