Vol. 403 No. 5
43 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to claims by Amnesty International that there are grave and widespread human rights violations in SriLanka; his views on these claims; if he has contacted the SriLankan authorities on the matter, or raised the issue at an appropriate international forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
45 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the widespread violations of human rights in SriLanka as highlighted by Amnesty International and if he will raise Ireland's concern at EC and United Nations level.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 45 together.
I am aware of the upsurge of hostilities in Sri Lanka and of the disturbing reports of human rights abuses there. On 22 October, Ireland joined with its partners in the European Community in issuing a declaration on Sri Lanka. The European Community and its member states deplored the resurgence of hostilities initiated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in June and the misery thus caused to the civilian population in the affected parts of the country. The Community, while recognising the serious difficulties faced by the SriLankan Government, urged that only minimum necessary force be used in restoring peace and maintaining order in the country.
Ireland and its partners in the Community have regularly conveyed their concerns on the issue of human rights to the Sri Lankan authorities. They have particularly urged the Sri Lankan Government to act against the death squads and to make every effort to bring the perpetrators of such killings to justice.
The issue of human rights in Sri Lanka was also raised by the European Community and its member states on 26 November, in the Third Committee of the United Nations which deals with human rights issues.
As an indication of the extent of their concern on human rights in Sri Lanka, the Community and its member states have drawn attention to the fact that they will be considering their future assistance for the development of Sri Lanka's economy with reference, among other factors, to the Government's performance in regard to human rights.
44 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the work of Amensty International on behalf of 280 prisoners of conscience in Syria; if the Government have made any representations to the Syrian Government on the continuing problem of human rights abuses there; the action which has been taken through the EC, especially in the context of the current negotiations between the Community and Syria aimed at normalising economic and political co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has received representations recently from the Irish section of Amnesty International concerning the human rights situation in Syria and in particular the work being done by Amnesty International on behalf of more than 280 prisoners of conscience there.
The Government have not so far made representations to the Syrian Government but we continue to follow the issue closely. The question of human rights in Syria has already been a subject of discussion from time to time in European Political Co-operation.
I will ensure that it is raised again for consideration in the relevant working group at an early date.
