Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 1

Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

72 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action the Government has been taking in relation to the violation of human rights in Burma, in particular the violence against women including cases of rape, to which the attention of his Department has been drawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9847/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Ireland takes every opportunity to register its concerns about the practices of the Burmese regime. We take an active role in initiating and strengthening actions in this connection at the United Nations, including through the UN Commission on Human Rights, at which a resolution on the human rights situation in Burma is currently under consideration, and at the UN General Assembly.

The reports to which the Deputy refers involve rape, and other forms of sexual violence carried out by members of the armed forces, on ethnic Shan women, and others. These are particularly serious reports, and are indicative of the more general human rights situation in the country. In this regard, my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, Deputy Kitt, met, in September of 2002, with Mr. Harn Yawnghwe of the European Burma Office, along with representatives of Burma Action Ireland, Amnesty International, and Trócaire. In 2002, Ireland Aid approved funding of €79,900 for a project on capacity building for the Burmese Democratic Movement in Exile. This is the third year in succession that Ireland Aid has funded this project. Total funding thus far approximates to €250,000. Officials of my Department meet regularly to review issues of concern with representatives of Burma Action Ireland, Amnesty, Trócaire and other involved NGOs. The next such meeting with officials is taking place later this month, and will be attended by representatives of the Women's League of Burma, one of whom is a member of the Shan Women's Action Network.

The Government also takes an active role in this matter in the European Union. The Union's common position is due for renewal on 29 April. I will be attending the External Relations Council next week, at which the strengthening of the common position will be taken up. I attended the EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting on 27-28 January, at which the EU took the opportunity to express its strong concerns about the situation in Burma to the Burmese delegation.

The EU has previously expressed its willingness to support a substantive process of national reconciliation, leading to the restoration of a democratic order and greater respect for human rights in Burma. The UN Secretary General's special representative to Burma, Mr. Razali Ismail, recently briefed the EU's Asia working group in Brussels on the situation in Burma. Mr. Razali expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress towards the restoration of democracy in Burma. The EU fully supports his attempts to help build confidence and co-operation with all sections of Burmese society, particularly with regard to human rights issues.

Mr. Sérgio Pinheiro, special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burma, recently presented a summary of his report to the UN Commission on Human Rights, which is currently meeting in Geneva. Mr. Pinheiro reported that the ICRC had been allowed to extend its presence in Burma, and that Amnesty International made its first ever visit to Burma. Overall, however, he reported that there was not sufficient progress on human rights. The special rapporteur called for an investigation of the allegations of rape against ethnic Shan women, but the Burmese regime has not responded to his request. He also reports that the rate of release of political prisoners has slowed, and is being used as a bargaining tool in talks with the National League for Democracy, one of the principal opposition groups. He also reiterated that Burma still operates under a military structure; poverty is widespread; a third of children are under weight, and that while the regime says they are working for constructive dialogue with the NLD, in reality this is not being demonstrated. In view of the above, we will continue to take every opportunity to register our serious concern at the practices of the Burmese regime and, along with our EU partners, follow events in Burma closely.