Fergus O'Dowd
Question:169 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in Algeria. [21114/03]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
The Government remains deeply concerned at the suffering caused by the civil conflict in Algeria. The internal security situation remains extremely volatile. Ireland and our EU partners are continuing their dialogue with Algeria and encouraging the Algerian Government to take further measures for the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights. We will continue to impress upon this Government the importance of implementing these necessary reforms.
The Government believes that the human rights dialogue between the EU and Algeria will be enhanced by the EU-Algeria Association Agreement under the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. In particular, Article 2 of the agreement states that respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, will guide the internal and international policies of the parties and will constitute an essential element of the agreement. The agreement also commits Algeria to develop the rule of law and democracy, including the upholding of fundamental freedoms. Ireland expects to see these commitments implemented fully in practice.
Ireland and its EU partners have, at international fora such as the UN Commission on Human Rights, urged the Government of Algeria to take concrete measures to improve the human rights situation in the country. We also urged it to respond positively to the requests for visits by the UN special rapporteur on torture and the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. Ireland attaches particular importance to human rights issues in our bilateral relations with Algeria. We have urged the Algerian authorities to establish independent mechanisms for the investigation of human rights violations and to bring those responsible to justice.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 114.
Question No. 171 answered with Question No. 123.
Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 146.
Olivia Mitchell
Question:173 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if human rights in China will be a priority for the EU in 2004. [21110/03]
The human rights situation in China has long been one of concern to Ireland and our EU partners and is likely to remain so during our Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2004. On 18 March 2003, the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, discussed human rights in China within the perspective of preparations for the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. While welcoming certain positive developments, the GAERC urged China to ratify the international covenant on civil and political rights and the optional protocol to the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to co-operate with international human rights mechanisms.
The GAERC also expressed its continuing concern in relation to the lack of sufficient or adequate respect for human rights in China, including the extensive use of the death penalty, the continuation of the "strike-hard" campaign, the widespread use of torture and arbitrary detention and called on China to abolish these practices. The Council also expressed its concern about the repression of freedom of expression, religion and association, about the ongoing violations of human rights of pro-democracy activists, proponents of free trade unions and followers of underground Christian churches and the Falun Gong.
The GAERC also expressed its concern about the deprivation of religious and cultural rights in Tibet. In regard to Xinjiang, the Council stressed that the fight against terrorism should be pursued with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The GAERC reaffirmed that the human rights dialogue with China is one of the EU's channels to improve the situation in areas of concern. The GAERC noted that this dialogue is an acceptable option only if enough progress is achieved and reflected on the ground. The GAERC determined that the EU will continue to evaluate the results of the dialogue at regular intervals, to determine how far its expectations have been met. The EU will also continue to express publicly its concerns about human rights in China and to raise them in meetings with China at all levels.
I fully expect that the human rights situation in China will be addressed by the EU foreign ministers during Ireland's Presidency. For our part, the Government uses every opportunity to further the issue of human rights. During his meeting with Premier Zhu Rhongji in September 2001, the Taoiseach discussed human rights both in a private meeting and in the plenary meeting of the delegations. In the course of my visit to China in January 2002, I also had discussions with Premier Zhu and Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan on a range of human rights issues and concerns. We will continue our engagement in dialogue with the Chinese authorities to express our concerns regarding human rights.
Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 114.
Question No. 175 answered with Question No. 134.
Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 122.