Vol. 544 No. 5
65 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has made to express abhorrence at arbitrary exactions and trials held outside the principles of international law in the most recent times in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29249/01]
I took the opportunity in my intervention at the special UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on 13 November to call on all sides involved in the conflict to respect human rights and international conventions on the conduct of war. I repeated this point at the EU General Affairs Council the following week.
The Government is unequivocal in its condemnation of violations of fundamental human rights. I am particularly concerned at recent reports of serious human rights abuses and executions in Afghanistan. I condemn these without reservation.
The UN sponsored all-Afghan Conference in Bonn this week provides a vital first step in the transition to a fully representative and broad based Government in Afghanistan. Ireland will continue to support efforts to achieve an equitable and balanced solution to the crisis in Afghanistan. Human rights and humanitarian issues must be to the forefront of these efforts and should be a priority in discussions.
The international community is presented with an enormous challange and needs to act decisively to ensure a new beginning for the people of Afghanistan. Afghanistan must not be allowed to remain a failed state, where the rights of its citizens are denied, and where continuing internal conflict breeds illegal activities and provides a safe haven for terrorists. However, we cannot succeed without the commitment of Afghan leaders and those who follow them. The cycle of killing and revenge must be halted if the people of Afghanistan are to look forward to a future of peace and prosperity.
