Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 2

Written Answers. - Aid to Rwanda.

Ray Burke

Question:

30 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will urgently activate and encourage the EU and the UN to implement policies which will aid in restoring a new and just society to the people of Rwanda, including the immediate restoration of the judicial system by the international community. [14848/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

This matter has already been dealt with in response to an Adjournment motion tabled by the same Deputy yesterday evening.

The Government has been consistently engaged on both the political and the humanitarian fronts to help bring about recovery in Rwanda. We have worked bilaterally with the Rwandan authorities, and through the EU and the UN to help create and implement policies which have the overall aim of restoring normality in that country. As the Deputy is aware, President Robinson has visited Rwanda on two occasions, most recently from 9-13 October when she was accompanied by my colleague Deputy Joan Burton, Minister of State with responsibility for development cooperation. That visit reflects the priority which we all believe should be afforded by the international community in resolving the tragic problems of Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region.

Within the context of our EU membership and our forthcoming Presidency responsibilities, it is the Government's intention to make action on Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region a continuing priority, and thus to do our utmost to help bring about national reconciliation there.

The Government is aware that while there has been some improvement in the situation in Rwanda over the past year, it remains very fragile and much progress needs to be made to avert another disaster. Ireland will continue to pursue the following broad policy objectives in co-operation with the EU and the UN, as well as with the Rwandan authorities.

—overall, to encourage a concerted international approach to help bring about national reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation in Rwanda.

—to encourage discussion and co-operation between the Governments and countries of the region to determine and implement concerted action on the underlying problems of the region. This process may culminate in the holding of an international conference on the Great Lakes Region.

—to encourage the return of the refugees and the provision of adequate conditions for them to return safely and with dignity.

—to encourage the International Tribunal to start trying those responsible for genocide at the earliest possible opportunity.

—to provide financial and other forms of assistance to help remedy humanitarian problems.

The Government has long been a proponent of concerted international action in response to the problems of the Great Lakes Region and is acutely aware of the fact that previous initiatives, such as the plan of action adopted by the International Conference on Refugees which was held in Bujumbura last February, have failed to be implemented. The International Tribunal, whose work is an essential part of the reconciliation process in Rwanda, has also been slow in its implementation. The lack of adequate resources, particularly in the case of the Rwandan authorities also needs to be addressed.

The Government places great emphasis on the importance of the implementation of policies by the international community and of the provision of adequate assistance to enable the Rwandan authorities carry out measures necessary for the restoration of order. The Government considers that the restoration of the judicial system in Rwanda is essential to the process of recovery and in this context we welcome the recent election of the Supreme Court of Rwanda. The restoration of the rule of law is one of the essential elements in creating favourable conditions for the return of refugees. The international community is already seized of the need to restore the judiciary and the administration of justice and to improve the appalling conditions in Rwanda's prisons. The Government has provided assistance to the human rights and justice sectors in Rwanda and I have previously provided details of this in written replies to questions tabled by Deputies Shatter and Kitt on 20 September.