Vol. 516 No. 5
26 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the continuing human rights abuses in Algeria are raised at the meeting of the UNHCR in Geneva in April 2000; if he will urge the Algerian authorities to facilitate a visit by the UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture and Extra-judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8460/00]
156 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the matter of Algerian co-operation with UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture and on Extra-judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions when the UN Commission on Human Rights meets in Geneva in April 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8594/00]
165 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for For Affairs Affairs the extent of human rights abuses in Algeria in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8617/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 156 and 165 together.
The human rights situation in Algeria will be considered at the forthcoming 56th Session of the UN Commission of Human Rights, when the European Union will renew its call to Algeria to co-operate with the human rights machinery of the United Nations, and in particular to accept a visit by the UN special rapporteurs.
The latest development in the ongoing EU dialogue with Algeria is that the Algerian authorities have advised the Presidency that they have undertaken to keep the Commission of Human Rights informed on a regular basis about cases of persons reported to have disappeared in Algeria.
In recent days, the Algerian authorities have responded to the démarches made by the European Union and furnished information to the EU Presidency about disappearance cases, and are to follow up with further information.
We remain patiently hopeful that the amnesty introduced by President Bouteflika will provide for a peaceful resolution to the tragedy in Algeria. The amnesty has helped to improve the security situation significantly. The acceptance of the amnesty by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), which has since formally moved to disband under an agreement with the government is a positive step towards an end to the years of conflict. Nevertheless, we are concerned at reports of continued clashes between the military and Islamist militias and official estimates of up to 400 deaths since the amnesty deadline passed on 13 January.
Algeria is now entering a delicate phase of economic and social reform and modernisation on which there is not unanimity, and this could give rise to further tension within the society. As part of its dialogue with Algeria, the EU has encouraged perseverance with necessary reforms and modernisation, and has offered constructive assistance through the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, including in the area of judicial reform. The EU is prepared to negotiate Algeria's closer association with its market.
