asked the Minister for External Affairs what action has been taken by the United Nations, and by the Irish delegation to that body in particular, to give effect to the Resolution adopted by the United Nations International Conference on Human Rights in Teheran earlier this year on the protection of human rights in armed conflicts; and if steps will be taken by the Irish delegation to have a reappraisal made of the specific rules in armed conflicts, so as to provide in modern wars adequate protection for noncombatants and civilians and that damage done will not be out of all proportion to military requirements.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - UN Resolution on Human Rights.
13.
This matter was considered at the recently-concluded United Nations General Assembly Session and a Resolution (No. 2444) was adopted which to a considerable extent produces the operative provisions of the Teheran Resolution. The Irish delegations to the Teheran Conference and to the General Assembly supported both Resolutions. The General Assembly Resolution also requests the Secretary General to take all necessary steps to give effect to the Resolution and to report to the next session of the General Assembly.
The United Nations Resolution also refers to the fact that the Red Cross have this matter under consideration and I understand that the International Committee of the Red Cross is studying it with particular regard to the need for further international legal instruments supplementary to those already in existence. Since the Red Cross is the competent organisation to consider these matters it is desirable that Governments should examine the situation after the Red Cross have reached their conclusions.