Vol. 535 No. 1
155 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government took any role at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Commission of the UN to sponsor a motion on Algeria with particular reference to the appointment of a special rapporteur to conduct an inquiry into the major massacres which have occurred over the past ten years in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12098/01]
I refer the Deputy to the replies I gave previously on 20 and 22 March and of 11 April to related questions from Deputies Spring, Durkan, Gregory, O'Sullivan and Lawlor concerning the situation in Algeria and, in particular, developments at the UN Human Rights Commission, including the question of the appointment of a special rapporteur. In those replies I referred to the insufficient support within the Commission for the adoption of a resolution and the opposition of Algeria to the appointment of a special rapporteur. I pointed out that it would be counterproductive were a resolution to be proposed only to be heavily defeated in divisive circumstances. Such a defeat would only be of benefit to the hardliners and would send an entirely wrong signal as to the progress which we wish to see in Algeria.
The EU Presidency delivered a strong statement at the Commission on Human Rights under agenda item 9, which concerns the question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in which we outlined our concern at human rights abuses in Algeria. The EU urged the Government of Algeria to take concrete measures to combat extrajudicial executions, disappearances, torture and arbitrary detention and to bring those responsible to justice. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive dialogue with the Algerian authorities and encouraged the government of Algeria to further its dialogue with human rights NGOs. The EU urged Algeria to respond positively to the requests for visits by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions. The EU stated that it will follow closely the activity of the newly created National Commission in Algeria for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
These issues were also raised directly with President Bouteflika and Foreign Minister Belkhadem in the course of the recent Ministerial visit by the EU Troika to Algiers on 24 April.
