asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the policy of the Government on maintaining diplomatic relations with countries that infringe basic standards of fundamental human rights in the arrest, ill-treatment and detention of their citizens.
39.
Written Answers. - Human Rights Violations.
38.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action the Government proposes to take at international level to highlight the systematic campaign of torture and ill-treatment being conducted by the Argentinian Government; and if it will propose an investigation by an independent impartial tribunal into these practices.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
As the Deputy is aware, we deplore violations of human rights wherever they occur. The breaking-off of diplomatic relations is not among the measures we would propose to undertake as a general rule in cases of this nature. Apart from any other considerations, it has to be borne in mind that such drastic action would not be in the interests of the very people whom we wish to protect.
As to the particular case of Argentina, I understand that a team from Amnesty International recently visited that country and I await their report with interest. Judging from previous experience, it is likely that this report will be submitted to the next session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, who may propose that a full UN investigation into allegations of violations of human rights, on the lines of a similar one at present working on the human rights situation in Chile, be carried out. We would, of course, support the establishment of such an investigation if the evidence adduced by the Amnesty team and the conclusions of the UN Commission on Human Rights point to its necessity. In general, we would consider action at international level, whether in the framework of the United Nations or through applicable regional arrangements for protection of human rights, the most appropriate way for dealing with any systematic violation of these rights.