Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1992

Vol. 415 No. 1

Written Answers. - Human Rights In Thailand.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

129 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has any proposals to raise, within the European Community through the mechanism of the formal relations between the EC and the ASEAN group of nations, the denial of human rights by the military government of Thailand to a person (details supplied) which has resulted in him being forced into exile for having criticised the Government of Thailand; if he will outline if he has received representations on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I am aware of the case raised by the Deputy, in which connection my Department was contacted informally last December.

The European Communities' formal relations with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are conducted in the framework of the EC/ASEAN Cooperation Agreement, which deals primarily with economic, trade and development matters. There is a parallel political dialogue between the Twelve and ASEAN on international issues and on issues of mutual political interest, including general human rights questions.

It is not the practice to raise specific human rights cases in that multilateral forum. Cases of individual human rights abuses are, as circumstances warrant, taken up by the Twelve directly with the country concerned. The case referred to by the Deputy has not been raised by the Twelve.