Dan Boyle
Question:113 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions the Government intends taking during the course of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union on the issue of debt slavery in the developing world. [28748/03]
Written Answers. - Debt Relief.
The Government is actively committed to the promotion of full observance of universal human rights standards, and opposes and seeks the elimination of all contemporary forms of slavery. These include practices such as bonded labour, the sale of children, child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking in persons. The Government is also opposed to all acts and practices which degrade or exploit human beings.
Through its participation at international fora such as the UN General Assembly, the UN Commission on Human Rights, the International Labour Organisation, ILO, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, Ireland raises its concerns regarding these issues in concert with our European Union partners and others. My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, Deputy Tom Kitt, has taken a keen interest in the issue of bonded labour and was particularly active at the ILO when he had responsibility for that portfolio in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
My Department, through Development Co-operation Ireland, works closely with the ILO to address, in a holistic way, the issues of employment and bonded labour. This partnership aims to create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income. It also assists the ILO in its efforts to combat coercive, bonded and child labour.
Ireland's Presidency of the European Union offers an opportunity to build on our achievements within the Union and internationally on this issue and I am determined that this most important aspect of human rights will remain to the fore in Government policy.