Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

249 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the outrageous treatment of the people of Afghanistan by the present Taliban Government; if he accepts in particular that the treatment of women, some of whom have been beaten and stoned in public for not wearing the prescribed attire, is exceptionally bad; and if he will take all possible steps at the United Nations and the European Union to highlight and condemn the continuing grave violation of human rights in Afghanistan. [2171/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

279 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action the international community has taken to bring greater recognition for human rights in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2581/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 279 together.

As I stated in the Dáil on 28 November 2000, the Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan. The Government strongly condemns the discrimination against women practised by the Taliban. Ireland takes every opportunity, including through the United Nations and the EU, to exert pressure on the Taliban to end their discriminatory practices.

Ireland and our EU partners have repeatedly called on the Taliban and other Afghan factions to respect basic human rights and to end gender discrimination. The EU common position on Afghanistan was renewed and strengthened last week, on 24 January. At Ireland's initiative, the revised common position strengthens the EU's opposition to discrimination against women in Afghanistan. In addition, one of the EU's stated objectives in Afghanistan is now to work towards the creation of an environment in which gender discrimination does not hamper the distribution of humanitarian aid.

EU concerns about the continuing grave violations of human rights in Afghanistan were made known at the UN Commission on Human Rights last year and will be raised again at the next session in March. A resolution at the most recent session of the UN General Assembly in New York, which had the full support of Ireland, also condemned human rights violations in Afghanistan, including the persistent human rights violations against women and girls. The UN Security Council further introduced increased sanctions against the Taliban on 13 December 2000, which provide for measures such as the closure of Taliban offices around the world and the banning of flights to Taliban controlled areas, with the exception of humanitarian flights. Ireland fully supports these sanctions.

Despite the combined and strenuous efforts of the international community, the situation in Afghanistan is one of the most intractable human rights problems facing the international community at present. I assure the House that the Government and the international community will continue to make every effort to ameliorate the humanitarian and human rights situation in the country, in particular in relation to discrimination against women.