Vol. 428 No. 1
113 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the policy being pursued by Ireland, in conjunction with its European partners, to prevent the possibility of systematic discrimination against the 26 million ethnic Russians still living in countries of the Confederation of Independent States outside Russia becoming a threat to peace in Europe.
Tensions involving minorities in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Baltic States and in Georgia may well have a significant impact on the peace and stability of Europe. Discriminatory treatment of minorities could militate against internal stability in some of these states and adversely affect their relations with each other. It is important, therefore, that the rights of all minorities, Russian and others, be fully respected. It is also important that minorities, for their part, behave responsibly and avoid exacerbating tensions.
Ireland is active in discussions within the European Community, and in multilateral fora such as the CSCE, the Council of Europe and the UN Human Rights Commission in seeking to ensure respect for the rights of minorities, including those in the former Soviet Union.
Ensuring respect for human rights is an important element in the development of the European Community's relations with all the former Soviet Republics. The guidelines on the reecognition of new states in Eastern Europe and in the Soviet Union, adopted by the Community in December 1991, stressed the need to ensure full respect for human rights. In addition, the new states were asked to guarantee the rights of ethnic and national groups and minorities in accordance with the commitments subscribed to in the CSCE framework. All members of the CIS accepted these guidelines.
The CSCE, in which all members of the CIS, the Baltic States and Georgia are now participating States, has a vital role to play in ensuring the protection of human rights. The Charter of Paris acknowledged that the rights of persons belonging to national minorities must be fully respected as part of universal human rights. In July 1992, the CSCE decided to appoint a High Commissioner on National Minorities. The High Commissioner, Max Van der Stoel, has been mandated to provide early warning and, as appropriate, early action with regard to tensions involving national minority issues that could affect peace, stability or relations between CSCE participating States. The High Commissioner has already visited a number of former Soviet Republics to look into minority rights issues.
With the encouragement and support of Ireland and our EC partners, the Council of Europe is developing its relations with the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States and is making an important contribution in assisting them in the process of transformation to democratic structures and on minority rights issues. We also support the role of the UN and, in particular, the UN Human Rights Commission in this area.
