Vol. 404 No. 9
73 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the campaign organised by Amensty International concerning the several hundred people who are allegedly missing having been arrested by the Moroccan security forces in the last 15 years; whether he has made contact with the Moroccan Government in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department have received a report of this campaign from the Irish section of Amnesty International. The campaign principally concerns the disappearance of people of Western Saharan origin. Ireland's position has always been to support the exercise by the people of Western Sahara of their right to self-determination.
I have not made contact with the Moroccan Government in relation to this specific matter. However, I took the opportunity of my visit to Morocco last May to convey to the Moroccan authorities the importance which the Twelve attach to their human rights policy, and the fact that it is a cornerstone of European Community relations with third countries.
I also inquired about the Human Rights Consultative Council whose establishment in May 1990 is indicative of Morocco's concern to ensure that the rule of law prevails in the country. I received an explanation of their objectives, composition and intended way of working.
