Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

120 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether there are major issues surrounding the vote in West Papua in relation to the 1969 Act of Free Choice; his further views on whether the matter should be revisited; his further views on the treatment of the West Papuans by the military authorities; and if he will make a commitment to assist the people of West Papua in the future directly and through the EU and the UN. [6479/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As the Deputy is aware from the previous questions to which I have replied, the Government remains very concerned about the situation in West Papua, or Irian Jaya, as it is now known. I am aware of the outstanding questions about the circumstances surrounding the 1969 Act of Free Choice in Irian Jaya and the role of the UN in that process.

On whether the matter should be revisited, as I have made clear previously, Ireland was not a party to the 1969 Act and it is not within the Government's power to re-examine the outcome of the Act. On the question of a possible UN review of the events of 1969, this would be a matter for the UN Secretariat and the UN Secretary General. Procedurally, re-opening the issue would require the support of UN member states.

It is my understanding from our mission to the UN that, at present, there appears to be no significant support among UN member states for a review of the 1969 decision. There is no intention on the secretariat's part to re-open the issue. Furthermore, there is concern that such a review may prejudice ongoing efforts to initiate a peaceful and meaningful dialogue with the Government authorities in Jakarta and would not contribute to the amelioration of the current situation of the people.

I am increasingly aware of reports of ongoing human rights abuses in Irian Jaya, and in particular about allegations of military police involvement in such violations. This issue has been taken up at EU level and last year the 15 Foreign Ministers called on the Indonesian Government to further strengthen democracy and human rights, in particular, civilian control and democratic accountability of the police and armed forces. The issue was further raised by the EU with members of the new Indonesian Government in August 2001, including with the Foreign Minister, the Minister for People's Welfare, and the Vice-President of the Republic. As part of its proposal in September 2001, to develop a political dialogue with the Indonesian Government, the EU highlighted human rights as an area for discussion and, in particular, the issue of civilian control over the military.

In November last year, the EU reacted promptly to express deep concern at the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Mr. Theys Eluay, chairman of the Papua Presidium Council, in Irian Jaya. The EU urged the Indonesian authorities to clarify the circumstances of the murder and to bring its perpetrators to justice as soon as possible. As a follow-through, EU heads of mission in Jakarta are planning to undertake a fact-finding mission to the region next month in order to witness at first hand the situation there. This visit will also demonstrate the growing concern among EU member states to ensure the protection of human rights defenders in the region. At UN level, Ireland is currently preparing for the 58th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, which begins on 18 March in Geneva, where the EU plans to raise the human rights situation in Indonesia.