Vol. 533 No. 2
53 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the decision taken by the International Labour Organisation aimed at ending forced labour in Myanmar as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8420/01]
The systematic and ongoing violation of human rights in Burma – Myanmar – is a matter of great concern to the Government. These concerns are fully shared by our EU partners. The continuing refusal of the military regime to address the find ings of various UN and other inquiries is unacceptable.
The International Labour Organisation has been carrying out a detailed examination of the practice of forced labour in Burma since 1998. It has given the military regime every opportunity to abandon this practice. In the absence of a positive response, the ILO adopted an unprecedented resolution in June 2000 calling on Burma to "take concrete action" to implement the recommendations of a 1998 commission of inquiry which found that resort to forced labour in the country was "widespread and systematic".
Under the terms of the June resolution, the Burmese authorities were given until 30 November to implement the recommendations of the commission of inquiry. Following an assessment by an ILO technical co-operation mission, the ILO deemed, in November 2000, that the relevant recommendations had not been implemented by the Burmese authorities. As a result, a series of measures were adopted and communicated to all ILO members, including all EU member states, as well as to employer and worker representatives in member countries.
Ireland fully supports the measures taken by the ILO aimed at eliminating the incidence of forced labour in Myanmar. Ireland, in consultation with our EU partners, has examined these measures with a view to ensuring that they are implemented to the optimum effect. In this connection, the Government informed the ILO director-general of the Government's support, and the support of employers and trade union representatives in Ireland, for the ILO's position in relation to Burma. Irish companies with trade/investment links with Burma will now be informed of the Government's support for the measures taken by the ILO.
The practice of forced labour is only one of many human rights violations in Burma. It is envisaged that these violations, as well as other areas of concern, will be addressed in a full and comprehensive resolution at 57th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
