Kathleen Lynch
Question:12 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether human rights issues were discussed at the recent Euro-Asian talks in Bangkok, Thailand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5272/96]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.
Trevor Sargent
Question:29 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has requested that the issue of East Timor be raised by the Taoiseach at the 25 nation conference in Bangkok, Thailand. [5302/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 29 together.
The Taoiseach has already reported to the House on Tuesday last on the outcome and his participation in the Europe Asia Meeting (ASEM) in Bangkok on 1 and 2 March 1996. The Taoiseach has also arranged for a copy of the Thai chairman's statement, at the conclusion of the meeting, to be placed in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Paragraph 7 of the Thai chairman's statement, to which all participants subscribed, states as follows in relation to human rights:
The meeting reaffirmed its strong commitment to the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, to the 1986 Declaration on the Right to Development, the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the 1993 Declaration of Vienna and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights, the 1994 Cairo Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action, and to the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action for the Fourth World Conference on Women.
The Taoiseach, in his contribution to the plenary session of the meeting, underlined the importance of adherence to international norms on human rights. He pointed out that a good human rights position will underpin the economic development which is sought by all states. He, therefore, welcomed especially the commitment by all participants at the meeting to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Other leaders also raised the question of human rights.
The Taoiseach had a substantive discussion with President Suharto on Indonesia and East Timor. He indicated the concern of the Government and Irish public opinion at the situation in East Timor. He also stated that Ireland would do anything it could both during our forthcoming EU Presidency and in any other way to help resolve the situation. The Taoiseach also indicated that he was glad to note the progress which had been made in the bilateral meeting, in the margins of the ASEM, between the Indonesian President and the Portuguese Prime Minister which provides hope for the future.
At the meeting of Foreign Ministers which took place in parallel to that of the Heads of State or Government at the ASEM, I raised a number of human rights-related issues. I also met, on behalf of the Taoiseach, with a delegation from Transnational Institute, which included Irish and other participants, accompanied by Ms Bernie Malone MEP, who were in Bangkok for the first Asia-Europe NGO Conference on the Future of Asian-European Relations. Amongst the topics raised in connection with democracy and human rights were Northern Ireland and former Yugoslavia together with East Timor and Burma.