Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
37 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the recently documented abuses in flagrant violation of the basic tenets of international law and the Geneva Convention in particular by the armed forces of countries with whom Ireland enjoys friendly relations, such as the United Kingdom and the United States; the parties with which he has raised these issues; and the outcome of such discussions. [14536/04]
View answer53 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in Iraq; if the treatment of prisoners in Iraq has been discussed with any of his European Union counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14523/04]
View answer61 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers in violation of the Geneva Conventions has been raised with the United States Administration by the Government or by him on behalf of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14667/04]
View answer84 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of such discussions as he may have had with Foreign Ministers of the EU and other countries on the report of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Iraq, and on the recently published pictures of the abuse of prisoners in Iraq. [14540/04]
View answer99 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has, on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union, and on Ireland’s behalf, condemned the abuses of prisoners in Iraq by occupying forces as documented by the International Committee of the Red Cross. [14537/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 53, 61, 84 and 99 together.
The Government has publicly and strongly condemned the mistreatment and abuse of prisoners in Iraq by US and UK forces. We made our concerns known directly to the US and UK authorities when the allegations first came to light.
The Government fully supports the recent insistence by UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, that all detainees should be fully protected in accordance with the provisions of international human rights law. Moreover, Security Council Resolution 1483 of 22 May 2003 calls upon all concerned to comply fully with their obligations under international law. The treatment of prisoners of war is specifically covered by the third Geneva Convention.
On Monday, the EU Council of Ministers, acting on the initiative of the Irish Presidency, adopted the following conclusions: The Council expressed its abhorrence at recent evidence of the mistreatment of prisoners in Iraqi prisons. The Council condemned any instances of abuse and degradation of prisoners in Iraq, which are contrary to international law, including the Geneva Conventions. The Council welcomed the commitment by the relevant governments to bring to justice any individuals responsible for such acts involving the abuse of Iraqi detainees, and their commitment to rectify any failure to adhere to international humanitarian law.
I have also been active in ensuring that similar statements were included in the Presidency conclusions issued after last week's EuroMed ministerial meeting in Dublin and in the joint communiqué adopted at Monday's meeting between the EU and the Gulf Co-operation Council.
The issue of the abuse of prisoners by US personnel was raised at last Friday's meeting between G8 Foreign Ministers and President Bush and at the subsequent ministerial meeting, both of which I attended. Both President Bush and Secretary of State Powell condemned the mistreatment of prisoners in the strongest possible terms and expressed the Administration's determination that those responsible should be brought to justice.
The UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, briefed the EU External Relations Council yesterday on his government's investigation into allegations of prisoner abuse. He made clear that such abuse would not be tolerated, that all allegations were being thoroughly investigated and that anybody found to be responsible for the mistreatment of prisoners would be brought to justice. He confirmed that recent photographs published by the Daily Mirror showing abuse of Iraqi prisoners by British troops were forgeries.
The recent evidence of prisoner abuse in Iraq has reminded the entire international community of the need to respect and maintain international law in relation to the treatment of prisoners. The Government will continue to work to reinforce this point and thereby ensure that something positive may yet come from this appalling episode.
