Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 2

Written Answers. - Human Rights in Afghanistan.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

57 Mr. O'Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will intervene with the Afghanistan authorities on behalf of 70 people who have been detained in Kabul on charges of looting and who are in imminent danger of amputation if found guilty by the Taliban Islamic Court; and if his attention has been drawn to the manner in which women are treated in the parts of Afghanistan, including Kabul, which are under the control of the Taliban forces. [20520/96]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

58 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the right to self-determination of the women of Afghanistan is not being pursued by the UN and the Government. [20645/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together. I refer to my replies to Questions Nos. 86 of 10 October 1996, No. 123 of 15 October 1996, No. 61 of 22 October 1996 and No. 40 of 31 October 1996 in which I informed the House of the Government's concern at the interpretation of Islamic law being advanced by the Taliban. The Government has called upon the Taliban Interim Council to respect basic human rights and to ensure that, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the elimination of Discrimination against Women, their policies avoid gender discrimination.

On 28 October 1996, a Declaration on Afghanistan was issued by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union which stressed the particular concern of the Union at the widespread violation of human rights in Afghanistan especially discrimination against women and girls. The EU recalled in this context Resolution 1076/1996 of the United Nations Security Council, adopted on 22 October 1996, which denounced such discrimination as well as other violations of human rights in Afghanistan. The EU strongly urged the leaders of the various factions in Afghanistan to respect and act in accordance with the principles laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Charter as well as all other Conventions on Human Rights to which Afghanistan is a signatory. On 16 October 1996, prior to the adoption of Resolution 1076/1996, the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN made a statement to the UN Security Council, on behalf of the European Union, in the course of which he said: "No society can achieve an acceptable degree of peace, justice and stability without full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The European Union calls therefore on all the parties in Afghanistan to act in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and to respect human rights."