Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
133 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he has made or hopes to make through the European Union on the UN to alleviate starvation and human rights abuses in the Darfur area of western Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18078/04]
View answerOver the course of the Irish term of the EU Presidency, the EU has been to the forefront of the international community in promoting urgent action to address the appalling humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur. At its meetings in April, May and June, the External Relations Council declared its serious concern at the humanitarian and human rights violations in Darfur and called on the Government of Sudan to provide unhindered and safe humanitarian access to the region. The European Union has been clear in its condemnation of the actions of the Janjaweed in Darfur. The EU has consistently conveyed the message to the Sudanese Government that it must take immediate action to adequately protect civilians against these violent militias.
The Irish Presidency made the situation in Darfur the focus of the informal development Ministers' meeting held in Dublin on 1 June. The Ministers emphasised the issues of security, protection and humanitarian access in their discussions and called on the Sudanese Government, in particular, to adhere to the commitments entered into in the ceasefire agreement of 8 April.
The EU and the UN continue to work closely together on the situation in Darfur. Most recently, the EU and UN hosted a successful high-level donors' consultative meeting in Geneva on 3 June, which was co-chaired by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Kitt. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups operating in Darfur. Both parties heard the strong message from the EU, the UN, and others on the need for immediate and unrestricted access to Darfur for humanitarian agencies. We are extremely concerned at the gross human rights abuses reported by the acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Kitt, met with the Sudanese Government in Geneva and demanded that such human rights abuses be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.
The donors' conference in Geneva was attended by 36 countries and a total of $125 million was pledged. The Government will continue to urge that all pledges be actually disbursed with minimum possible delay. In my Presidency capacity, I have encouraged EU member states that are also members of the UN Security Council to continue to push for a greater level of engagement by the Security Council on the issue of Darfur. In this regard, I welcome the adoption on 11 June of Security Council Resolution 1547 (2004) which condemns violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur and calls on the parties to the N'djamena Ceasefire Agreement to conclude a political agreement without delay. I also welcome the presidential statement issued by the Security Council on 25 May and its clear call upon the Sudanese Government to respect its commitments as regards both neutralising and disarming the Janjaweed militias, as well as its call on the international community to support the efforts of the African Union in regard to Darfur.
The European Union is working closely with the African Union to establish an African Union-led ceasefire commission and monitoring mission for the Darfur region. As EU Presidency, Ireland succeeded in assuring the establishment this past month of the EU's new African peace facility fund. Ireland then pressed for a quick release of EU funding for the African Union's initiative in Darfur. I am pleased that €12 million has been allocated to the Darfur Ceasefire Commission from the EU's African peace facility fund. The EU has been invited to contribute observers to the ceasefire monitoring mission and Ireland has put forward a candidate. The African Union will contribute both military and civil personnel.
Sudan is a priority for Ireland's humanitarian assistance. To date, Ireland has committed €2.5 million to Darfur alone. These funds are being expended across a number of NGOs and humanitarian agencies to maximise their effect. Funding is also provided for the provision of food through the World Food Programme and life-saving activities such as shelter, water and sanitation through NGOs. Ireland has kept in close touch with aid agencies operating on the ground and has made representations to ensure that visas are issued expeditiously to Irish development workers. This serious and urgent situation will be monitored closely and we stand ready to assist further as the needs become clearer.
