Question:
10 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his priorities in relation to human rights issues internationally. [12846/00]
Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Human Rights Issues.
The Government is actively pursuing its human rights priorities in a wide range of international fora, both on a national basis and in conjunction with our EU partners. At the recent 56th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Ireland was the lead sponsor of two resolutions, one on the human rights of persons with disabilities and the other on religious intolerance. We were pleased that both resolutions were adopted by consensus and with an increased number of co-sponsors. We also co-sponsored many other resolutions reflecting our concerns internationally. These included resolutions on the death penalty, good governance and human rights defenders, as well as a number of country-specific resolutions, including, for instance, those on human rights in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and a resolution on the situation in Chechnya. We also fully supported a chairman's statement on East Timor.
At regional level, Ireland has just come to the end of its chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, an opportunity which was used to focus attention on the human rights role of that institution. With the appointment of a Human Rights Commissioner last year, the Council of Europe is playing an increasingly important role in the protection of human rights in Europe and is the guardian of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Despite the efforts of the international community in international and regional fora such as those I have mentioned, there is a growing realisation among Governments and other international actors that the systems in place for the protection of vulnerable people in situations of conflict do not always provide an adequate level of protection. Reasons for this range from the failure of states to ratify relevant international instruments – the human rights and humanitarian law treaties which aim to provide protection for non-combatants – to the lack of resources and even political will to focus on these problems.
However, Ireland will continue to fulfil its obligation to promote the observance of universal human rights standards. We will continue to voice our concerns wherever possible in partnership with other like-minded countries in international fora such as the UN General Assembly, the UN Commission on Human Rights, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.
I also welcome this opportunity to announce that the third annual Department of Foreign Affairs-NGO forum on human rights will take place on Saturday, 1 July in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.
Mr. G. Mitchell: I hope the Minister of State will make herself available to appear before the Oireachtas sub-committee on human rights. We have sought a meeting with her for some time. If Governments are international actors, then this is a C rate film because not much progress is being made in this area.
I wish to ask the Minister of State two questions in regard to the death penalty. Does she agree that some governors in the United States use the death penalty as a way of advancing their re-election prospects? Has the Government repeatedly raised the obscenity of this procedure and its continued use with the American authorities, particularly in regard to people who committed offences when they were young but who are not executed until much later? With regard to the death penalty in China, is she aware of evidence recently given to the Oireachtas sub-committee on human rights which suggests that persons executed in China have their organs removed in advance and that it appears that they are sold at a market later? Has this matter been raised? If not, will she undertake to investigate and raise it?
The Deputy will understand that he tabled a general question on human rights issues and his supplementary questions are specific in regard to allegations of human rights atroc ities in China. I will reply to him separately on that matter. We co-sponsored a resolution on the death penalty at the 56th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. We have been consistently vocal in our opposition to the death penalty and have called for its abolition at many international fora.
Does the Minister of State agree that Ireland is prepared to overlook human rights abuses in China, particularly in Tibet, because of its increasing trade with that country? Is it not the case that trade will always take precedence over human rights as far as this Government is concerned?
At the last meeting Ireland in conjunction with its EU partners decided not to co-sponsor the resolution on human rights in China. As expected the Chinese delegation called for a no action motion when the resolution came to be acted upon by the commission. As Ireland was not a member of the commission, Portugal, as President of the EU, voted against the motion on behalf of EU partners. All EU members of the commission also voted against this motion. In the end the no action motion was carried by 22 votes to 18 with 12 abstentions and the resolution could not proceed.
I do not accept wholly that our human rights considerations are overtaken by economic and trade related concerns. We try through our foreign policy to vindicate and advocate compliance with international human rights. We have taken every opportunity to be vocal on human rights issues because Ireland is a neutral country.
With regard to the death penalty which Deputy Mitchell raised earlier, our officials have raised concerns with US governors in various cases.
What about Tibet?
That is a specific question. The question which was tabled was general.
It relates to human rights abuses in Tibet.
The Deputy should table a separate question.
No.
Does the Minister of State agree that the most fundamental human right is the right to life? Approximately 12 million people in the Horn of African face death through starvation. I know the Minister of State visited Ethiopia recently. What are the Government's plans to raise the profile of that issue at EU or UN level to ensure that prompt action is taken? Must countless people die before the international community is mobilised to distribute sufficient food which is available around the world to feed these people?
While it is important, it is a separate question.
Yes. Unfortunately, a priority question on this issue was tabled but could not be taken. The Government has been extremely active in responding to the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa generally, not just in Ethiopia. The Deputy is aware that I visited the country last week. I will raise these issues at a meeting of EU Development Ministers on 18 November. There has been slowness in the reaction of the EU to pledging.
It is appalling.
However, that has accelerated over recent weeks. The main problem is the logistical distribution of food through short haul and long haul trucking to ensure that international assistance, which is plentiful in terms of food aid pledged, arrives at ports. There is a shortfall and a difficulty in the logistical distribution of food in co-operation with the Ethiopian authorities.
We have gone way over the limit. I call Question No. 11.
On a point of order, it is regrettable that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is not—
That is not a point of order.
This is the third occasion since he took office that the Minister has not been present in the Chamber during Question Time.
The Deputy should resume his seat and not disrupt Question Time. It is not a point of order. I called Question No. 11.
It is an insult to this House.
Will the Deputy resume his seat, please? I called Question No. 11. The Deputy will cease to be disorderly.
Why is the Minister not here?
He is attending a Council of Europe meeting.
I called Question No. 11.
I am sorry the Deputy sees me as an insult to the House.
The Minister of State is not. I have sympathy for her because she has been put in a position in which she should not be.
I am representing the Minister.
I called on the Minister of State to reply to Question No. 11 and she should proceed to do so.