Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - East Timor.

Derek McDowell

Question:

34 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the escalation of violations of human rights in East Timor; the action, if any, he is taking at international level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17866/97]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

52 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the opening of a United Nations Human Rights Office in the East Timor capital of Dili as proposed by the East Timor Ireland Solidarity Campaign; and the measures, if any, he has to influence the Indonesian Government to this end in view of human rights violations against civilians in East Timor which have increased sharply in the recent past. [17868/97]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

89 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will urge the Indonesian authorities to permit the opening of a United Nations Human Rights office in the East Timor capital, Dili; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17687/97]

Michael O'Kennedy

Question:

94 Mr. O'Kennedy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will seek the support of likeminded countries in the EU and the United Nations to bring pressure to bear to the Indonesian Government to allow human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International, to visit the territory of East Timor in Indonesia, and to allow the establishment of a United Nations Human Rights Office in East Timor. [18041/97]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 52, 89, and 94 together.

The Government is seriously concerned at the lack of human rights in East Timor. This concern was expressed by my predecessor in his address to the 52nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September. Furthermore, earlier this year, at the meeting in Geneva of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Ireland cosponsored the resolution which was passed on the "Situation on Human Rights in East Timor" and which,inter alia, calls upon the Government of Indonesia to take the necessary measures to ensure full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of East Timor.

As the House will know, the policy of the Irish Government in relation to East Timor is based in the EU Common Position on East Timor which was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 25 June 1996. In accordance with the Common Position, Ireland actively supports international efforts both to promote respect for human rights, and to bring a just and peaceful solution to the East Timor question which fully respects the interests and legitimate aspirations of the Timorese people.

In this context, Ireland has welcomed the appointment by the United Nations Secretary General of Mr. Jamsheed Marker as his Special Envoy on East Timor and stands ready to support any initiative taken by the Secretary-General on East Timor which may be considered as feasible and appropriate.

As regards the question of a UN presence, we have actively supported the establishment of a branch of the UN Human Rights Committee in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. However, the agreement of the Indonesian Government for the establishment of such an office has not been forthcoming. It is clear, too, that the Indonesian Government is also opposed to the establishment of any UN office in East Timor.