Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - UN Conventions.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

51 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to ratify the UN Convention against Torture; when it is proposed to ratify the UN Convention against Racial Discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1436/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

When I spoke to the Social Study Conference in Kilkenny last August and to the White Paper Seminar on Human Rights in Galway earlier this month, I made clear my determination that these two key United Nations human rights instruments should be ratified before the end of 1995.

Ireland has, in fact, ratified four of the six major UN conventions in the field of human rights. We have signed the Convention against Torture and the Convention on Racial Discrimination which is, of course, in itself a demonstration of our firm intention to ratify them. Completing our ratification of the main human rights instruments this year will be an appropriate way of marking the UN's fiftieth anniversary and the fortieth anniversary of our own membership in the organisation. It will also be a fitting response to the call by the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 for all states to ratify each of the UN human rights instruments.

Work on the measures necessary for the ratification of these two instruments is being given priority in my Department and in the other concerned Departments.

Once ratification is assured it will be important that we be seen to be fully implementing the provisions of the Conventions against Torture and Racial Discrimination.