Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
297 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to call for the reform of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in view of the fact that 25 of the 53 member countries of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights have not ratified all the conventions and agreements that this body is called on to enforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11256/04]
View answerIreland has always been committed to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and has played a distinctive role in the area of human rights, which has long been a central concern of our foreign policy. Accordingly, the Government attaches great importance to the role and work of the Commission on Human Rights, which has proved itself an essential forum for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
The question of calling for the establishment of membership criteria for the Commission on Human Rights has been considered by Ireland, in conjunction with our EU partners and other like minded countries, in a variety of forums, including the Human Security Network. However, the Government concurs with the widely held view that the promotion and protection of human rights is best achieved via a broad consensus among a clear majority of states. The exclusion of parts of the international community from elaborating new standards and from addressing violations is not in the best interests of furthering human rights.
The Government believes none the less that membership of the commission imposes special responsibilities. It offers states a unique opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to human rights instruments and to the discharge of human rights obligations. Members have the opportunity to play a leadership role in vindicating human rights worldwide. Furthermore, Ireland believes that the members of the commission have a responsibility themselves to uphold the standards of the UN human rights programme and to enhance the credibility and relevance of the commission.
Ireland encourages all candidates to membership of the commission to demonstrate their commitment to the international human rights protection system, inter alia , by ratifying the core human rights treaties and by co-operating with the special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights. We will continue to work with other like-minded countries to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
