Vol. 509 No. 6
40 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, he has to use his influence with the UN and the EU with a view to establishing a mechanism whereby earlier and more effective intervention could be achieved in addressing human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20975/99]
150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether a review of UN and European humanitarian procedures is necessary in order to achieve a more dramatic response to human rights abuses, such as those which occurred in East Timor, prior to deployment of peacekeeping forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21062/99]
153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, he has to take any new initiatives through the United Nations in order to achieve a more dramatic response in view of increased human rights abuses worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21065/99]
169 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the particular lessons, if any, learned by the UN or other agencies arising from recent experiences such as Kosovo and East Timor; his preferences for changes in the methodology in dealing with these issues in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21854/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 150, 153 and 169 together.
As I have stated on a number of occasions in the House, human rights is a priority issue for this Government and a central component of our foreign policy. We believe that the international community has an obligation to act when it has concerns and that these concerns should be pursued whenever possible in a constructive spirit of co-operation and dialogue, conscious of the responsibility which devolves on all Governments to promote and protect human rights.
The Government is actively pursuing its human rights objectives in a wide range of international fora, both on a national basis and in conjunction with our EU partners, for example, at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly which is currently taking place in New York. In its capacity this year as chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Ireland has sought to promote discussion of human rights issues throughout the world. At the regional level, Ireland will avail of the opportunity provided by its forthcoming chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to focus attention on the human rights role of that institution.
However, despite the efforts of the international community in international and regional fora such as those I have mentioned, it has to be acknowledged that the systems in place for preventing and tackling flagrant human rights abuses – and for preventing conflicts and humanitarian crises – are not proving adequate. Reasons for this range from the failure of States to ratify relevant international instruments, both human rights and humanitarian law treaties, to a lack of resources and even political will to focus on these problems.
Consequently, as I have already indicated in my response to an earlier question on the prevention of humanitarian disasters, there is a developing debate on how the international community can react most effectively to crisis situations and humanitarian disasters, such as those in East Timor, Kosovo and in a series of conflict situations in Africa.
This debate is focusing on the need for clarification of the principles and the establishment of agreed criteria for external intervention. In this regard, there is an evident need to reconcile the requirements of international human rights provisions with other principles such as national sovereignty or non-intervention, as established by the UN Charter. Ireland is actively involved in this debate and is currently engaged in discussions with like-minded countries, notably in a group known as the Human Security Network. This initiative of the Canadian and Norwegian Governments is aimed at establishing the concept of human security as a central element in the international community's approach to situations of conflict. I attended the most recent meeting of this group which took place in New York on 24 September last.
On another front, the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has recently spoken of the need to build support for the principle that massive and systematic violations of human rights should not be allowed to stand, wherever they may occur. Furthermore, the international community should progress from a culture of reaction to one of prevention. Ireland strongly supports these efforts of the UN Secretary General to develop better prevention strategies and to encourage a strong sense of deterrence.
Does the Minister agree that given our membership of the EU Council of Ministers, our pending chairmanship of that Council and our possible membership of the United Nations Security Council, we should use those fora to ensure that word goes out to the genocidal maniacs of the world that they will be called to account for their genocide? The single biggest fear we can arouse in those who wish to commit genocide is that they will be called to account at some point. Will the Minister give the expeditious creation of the international criminal court priority in these fora? Will he seek to press this in every way he can? If those tyrants who commit genocide throughout the world knew they would have to face trial they would be much slower to commit these offences.
I am grateful to the Deputy for his intervention and I strongly support what he says. He will be aware that I will be taking over the chairmanship of the 41 member Council of Europe next Thursday on behalf of Ireland and I consider this an enormous privilege. When I make my presentation to ministerial colleagues regarding my intended agenda, human rights will be at the centre of that agenda and I will pursue that matter in the context of the flagrant abuses of human rights which have become such a feature of international affairs, as the Deputy said. This has been a particular problem since the end of the Cold War, when we thought most violations of human rights and regional wars would cease.
That will be central to my agenda as chairman of the Council of Europe. If and when we are elected to the UN Security Council, again I will make human rights part of my stock in trade. The international criminal court is very high on the Government's agenda and is a matter we are seriously concerned with. It is a matter that will receive urgent attention.
The time has expired.
Is there time for another question?
No. The Chair has no power to vary the rules.
