Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 4

Written Answers. - Amnesty International Funding.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

102 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will provide financial support for the Amnesty International office in Pristina, Kosovo, which was established to collect evidence and conduct research into past human rights violations and current ones against Serbs, Roma, Muslim, Slavs and ethnic Turks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26399/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

No approach for Government funds has been made by Amnesty International to support the operation of its office in Pristina.

Amnesty International, as one of the leading worldwide voluntary movements which work to prevent some of the gravest violations by Governments of people's fundamental human rights, is zealous in protecting its impartiality and independence. In these circumstances, Amnesty International, neither seeks nor accepts funds from Governments. All contributions are strictly controlled by guidelines laid down by Amnesty's International Council. These state, inter alia,“Amnesty does not seek or accept Government funds for its campaigning work under any circumstances; such funds would be accepted for purposes such as human rights education”.

In this latter connection, for example, the Government, through the human rights and democratisation budget line of Irish aid was pleased to support an Amnesty International pro ject involving the printing and production of a poster to mark the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights last year.

I understand that the Irish section of Amnesty International recently launched its Christmas fund-raising campaign which included an appeal to support the establishment of its office in Pristina. It is through small individual donations raised by appeals such as this, that the organisation attracts most of its funding. I am sure that the Irish people will respond with their customary generosity.

Finally, I would like to wish Amnesty International well in this endeavour and I look forward to receiving its reports on the situation in Kosovo.