Vol. 549 No. 4
99 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the recommendations and comments of the UN Human Rights Committee on Ireland's second report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the action which is proposed to address each of these recommendations or comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7087/02]
The Attorney General presented Ireland's second national report, which is submitted under article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to the UN Committee on Human Rights in Geneva on 13 and 14 July 2000. The conclusions of the committee, which were received on 26 July, have been circulated widely and are available in the Library of the House and on the Department of Foreign Affairs' website. I am arranging for a copy to be sent directly to the Deputy.
The Attorney General also gave the committee a brief description of the commitments entered into under the Good Friday Agreement, with particular emphasis on its human rights provisions. He drew attention to the Government's undertaking to "bring forward measures to strengthen and underpin the constitutional protection of human rights" and that "these proposals will draw on the European Convention on Human Rights and other international legal instruments". Progress on implementation of these and other measures was also reported to the committee.
The committee, in its concluding observations, also recorded its appreciation of "the high quality of the report of Ireland". It said it appreciated the additional oral and written information provided by the Government delegation during the examination of the report; this information was highly instructive and enhanced the dialogue between the committee and the delegation. Furthermore, the committee said it welcomed the publication and wide dissemination of the report by the Government and its willingness to involve non-governmental organisations in the process.
100 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland will ratify the 1968 UN Convention on the non-applicability of statutory limitations to war crimes and the 1974 Council of Europe Convention; the specific steps taken towards ratification of the convention since 26 June 1997 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7088/02]
The European Convention on the non-applicability of statutory limitation to crimes against humanity and war crimes was opened for signature on 25 January 1974. It requires three ratifications to enter into force. The Netherlands and Romania are to date the only two states to have ratified; Belgium and France have signed. The convention has not entered into force since it has not been ratified by the required number of countries. The United Nations convention on the non-applicability of statutory limitation to crimes against humanity and war crimes was opened for signature on 16 December 1968. It entered into force on 11 November 1970 and has been ratified by 45 countries.
The object of these conventions is to encourage the adoption of measures by contracting states to ensure that statutory limitations shall not apply to crimes against humanity and war crimes. The position in this jurisdiction is that statutory limitations do not apply to these criminal offences and, accordingly, the question of signature and ratification by Ireland of these conventions is not seen as a priority. The Government has, therefore, no immediate plans to arrange for the ratification by Ireland of either convention.
