John Browne
Question:62 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the role he intends to have for the non-governmental organisation forum on human rights. [4272/98]
Written Answers - Forum on Human Rights.
The role of the NGO Forum on Human Rights complements that of the Joint Department of Foreign Affairs — Non-Government Organisation Standing Committee on Human Rights, which was set up last year to provide a formal framework for a regular exchange of views between the Department of Foreign Affairs and representatives of the non-governmental sector. While a key objective has been that the process of interaction should be as inclusive as possible, it would not be feasible to include on the committee every organisation that would wish to participate. The holding of the NGO forum on an annual basis to which all interested NGOs would be invited is intended to address these concerns. In this way, we hope to ensure the fullest possible utilisation of the experience and perspectives of the broader NGO community. It will provide a regular focus for NGO participation in the consideration of Irish foreign policy.
The inaugural NGO Forum on Human Rights will take place in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham on Saturday, 7 March next. It is intended to use the occasion of the forum to brief NGOs on the forthcoming session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, of which we are currently a member, which convenes in Geneva on 16 March. Specific themes and current issues in the human rights field such as refugees and asylum-seekers, the rights of the child, universality, human rights and democratisation and the role of NGOs will also be addressed during the forum.