Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 5

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

18 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received reports on slavery in Sudan; if this issue has been raised at EU level or as part of Ireland's bilateral aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11465/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Government and our EU partners remain very concerned about the situation in Sudan in both humanitarian and human rights terms. The civil war, continuing human rights abuses and severe food shortages have caused great suffering to the Sudanese people, especially those in the south of the country. We hope that the signing on 21 April of the peace agreement between the Government of Sudan and the southern factions will lead to an era of stability and peace for all the people of Sudan.

The concerns of the Government about the situation in Sudan have been made known to the Sudanese Government by the Irish Ambassador in Cairo who is also accredited to Khartoum. Both bilaterally and along with our European partners, we have supported the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, which consists of Sudan and seven neighbouring countries, in its special initiative which is supporting the peace process. At the same time, as part of the ongoing process of critical dialogue between the Europena Union of Sudan, discussions have taken place with the Sudanese authorities on various issues. These have included the need to pursue the peace process and democratisation, to ensure protection of human rights and to ensure the unhindered distribution of humanitarian assistance. This dialogue represents an important channel through which the European Union and its member states can communicate their concerns to the Government of Sudan and urge the Sudanese authorities to take concrete steps particularly in relation to pressing human rights issues. The Government will make every appropriate effort to use the recent peace accord to look for a concrete response by all parties in Sudan towards alleviating the appalling human rights situation there.

This month's 53rd session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva addressed the human rights issues arising from the reports on Sudan of the special rapporteur to the Commission, Mr. Gaspar Biro. On that occasion, the European Union expressed its continued concern about continuing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Sudan. In its statement to the 53rd session, with strong support from Ireland, the Union specifically expressed its concerns about the continuation of slavery and slavery-like practices to which the Deputy has referred. It also referred to the continuation of deliberate and indiscriminate aerial bombing, summary executions, abductions, atrocities against the population of the Nuba mountain region and ethnic and religious discrimination. It expressed its regret at the continuing failure by the Sudanese authorities to investigate human rights violations and at the detention of political opponents to the Khartoum regime.

In order to make progress on the issue of human rights in Sudan, the Government and our EU partners strongly support the efforts being made by the UNHCR special rapporteur to gain free and unlimited access to the whole territory of Sudan and to any persons or organisations relevant to his work. In reiterating this position we urge the Sudanese authorities to allow the deployment of human rights monitors in their country as a matter of priority and the unimpeded access of international observers to areas where violations are reported. Full human rights observance will be an essential element in confidence building for the peace process in Sudan.

Ireland's ongoing concerns about the human rights situation in Sudan were reflected in last year's decision not to renew our technical co-operation agreement with that country. At the same time, we continue to recognise the need to assist those who have fallen victim to the conflict in Sudan. Since 1994, Ireland has provided nearly £1.25 million in emergency and humanitarian assistance in Sudan. This includes an allocation of £100,000 to UNICEF/Operation Lifeline Sudan for the provision of basic healthcare to displaced people in southern Sudan and £125,000 which has been provided to GOAL, as part of an ongoing project with displaced people around Khartoum. In addition Ireland has continued to provide bilateral aid aimed at poverty alleviation at local level. Since 1994, this has amounted to approximately £1.63 million. For its part, the European Union has committed a total of 32.5 million ECU in emergency humanitarian aid for Sudan since 1994, of which 13.1 million ECU has been disbursed.

With our European partners, the Government will continue to follow the situation in Sudan closely and with concern, and to avail of every appropriate opportunity to exert positive influence on the Sudanese authorities, including in the United Nations and other international fora.