Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Human Rights in East Timor.

John Gormley

Question:

304 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government supports the proposal to establish a United Nations Human Rights office in Dili, East Timor; and, if so, the measures, if any, which are being taken to ensure that this comes to pass. [2037/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews):

As I outlined in a written reply on 4 November 1997, the policy of the Irish Government in relation to East Timor is based on the EU Common Position on East Timor adopted by the Council of Ministers on 25 June 1996. In accordance with the Common Position, Ireland actively supports international efforts to promote respect for human rights, and to bring about a just and peaceful solution to the East Timor question which fully respects the interests and legitimate aspirations of the Timorese people.

Ireland welcomed the appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General last year of Mr. Jamsheed Marker as his Special Envoy on East Timor, and is ready to support any appropriate initiative taken by the Secretary-General on East Timor. We have actively supported the idea of establishing 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 that the Indonesian Government is also opposed to the establishment of a UN office in East Timor itself.

I had an extended and very useful exchange of views on East Timor and Indonesia with the Portuguese Foreign Minister Mr. Gama during my official visit to Lisbon on 15 January. I expressed the Government's continuing deep concern at the situation there and our readiness to help in any way possible, including in relation to the Intra-Timorese dialogue. We expected that there would be a further resolution on East Timor at the UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva next March, and I indicated that, subject to its content, Ireland would expect to be able to support such a resolution.