Vol. 529 No. 1
284 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a list has been compiled of various administrations throughout the world where there is serious discrimination culminating in an abuse of human rights against women; and if he through the UN or EU can or will influence the international community towards addressing this issue. [2586/01]
The Government is committed to the active promotion of full observance of universal human rights standards, including in particular the principle of equality of rights for women. We are actively pursuing our human rights priorities in a wide range of international fora, both on a national basis and also in conjunction with our EU partners.
The International Bill of Human Rights lays down a comprehensive set of rights to which everyone, including women, is entitled. However, additional means for protecting the human rights of women are seen as necessary because of the continuing discrimination encountered by women in every society. The UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women – CEDAW – adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979, defines what constitutes discrimination against women and outlines an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. There are currently 166 states parties to CEDAW, including Ireland which ratified the convention in 1985. Countries that have ratified or acceded to the convention are required to put its provisions into practice. They must also submit periodic national reports on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations. I would urge governments to honour fully the commitments entered into under this convention.
