Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 7

Written Answers. - Abuse of Human Rights in Iraq.

Peter Barry

Question:

103 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will express his concern, to the other European Foreign Ministers at the continuing abuse of human rights in Iraq so that the United Nations can be asked to send a force to protect the Kurds and Shias.

Peter Barry

Question:

104 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that all possible support is given to the United Nations and the United States so that sanctions against Iraq continue to be applied until that country's potential to destabilise surrounding countries and peoples such as the Kurds, is eliminated.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.

Ireland and its partners in the European Community have consistently expressed concern at the abuse of human rights in Iraq. On 3 April, we condemned the brutal repression in that country and on 28-29 June the European Council reiterated its concern about the fate of civilian populations, in particular the Kurds and the Shias.

There is in fact already a force of 500 UN guards together with humanitarian teams deployed in Iraq by the United Nations since last April. United Nations agencies are providing basic humanitarian services including provision of food, clean water, basic health and sanitation programmes to refugees, returnees and other vulnerable people in Iraq.

The mandate of the UN guards is to protect UN personnel, assets and operations linked to the humanitarian programme, to monitor the general situation in Iraq and to report on incidents when they occur in the country.

Sadruddin Aga Khan, the UN Secretary General's executive delegate, has reported that the humanitarian programme, which he is administering on behalf of the UN, has been effective in protecting and caring for the refugees returning home and for other vulnerable groups in Iraq and he has paid tribute to the UN guards, who are playing a vital role in maintaining a climate of security in the region where they are present and whose presence is facilitating the return and resettlement of displaced persons. He has said, and I agree with him, that "the right to food, water, shelter and adequate health care are amongst the most fundamental of all human rights and must be assured to all people in all areas" and there must be no discrimination whatsoever in the enjoyment of those rights.

In regard to the Deputy's second question, the Government have fully supported and implemented Security Council sanctionis against Iraq and will continue to do so.