Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 5

Written Answers - Foreign Conflicts.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

82 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he favours the establishment of an international independent inquiry to investigate the killings of approximately 200,000 people carried out over the past 20 years in Algeria; and if he will raise this issue at the Security Council and with the UN Commission on Human Rights. [12918/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

118 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Algeria; if an improvement has been achieved regarding the human rights situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13297/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 118 together.

I refer the Deputies to the replies I gave previously on 20 and 22 March, 11 April and 1 May to related questions from Deputies Spring, Durkan, Gregory, O'Sullivan, Lawlor and Owen concerning the Government's position on the tragic situation in Algeria.

The UN Commission for Human Rights is the appropriate forum within the UN system for raising this issue. However, as I pointed out in my previous replies, there continues to be insufficient support within the Commission for the adoption of a resolution to establish an independent body or special rapporteur to enquire into the atrocities which have taken place as a result of the civil conflict in Algeria. In the face of the continued opposition of the Algerian authorities, it would have been counterproductive were such a resolution to have been proposed at the last session of the Commission only to be heavily defeated in divisive circumstances. Such a defeat would only have benefited the hardliners and would have sent an entirely wrong signal as to the progress we wish to see in Algeria.

The EU Presidency delivered a strong statement at the Commission on Human Rights, under agenda item 9, concerning the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in which we outlined our concern at human rights abuses in Algeria. The EU urged the Algerian Government 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 stated that it will follow closely the activity of the newly created national commission in Algeria for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The EU will continue to urge Algeria to cooperate fully with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions, and to respond positively to their requests to visit Algeria.

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.

Progress in the area of human rights is a major objective of Ireland's bilateral relations with Algeria. The Government has expressed its deep concern at the horrendous loss of life and the human suffering caused by the civil conflict. We are very concerned at the continuing serious deterioration in the security situation and in particular at the violent clashes which have occurred in recent weeks in the mainly Berber region of Kabylia.

We continue to take every appropriate opportunity in our bilateral contacts and through the process of dialogue between Algeria and the EU, to urge the Algerian authorities to take the necessary steps that will lead to an ending of the conflict, and for the establishment of independent mechanisms for the investigation of human rights violations and for bringing those responsible to justice.