Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013
57. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures taken by Irish Aid, his Department and non-governmental organisations that receive financial support through Irish Aid or his Department, in support of human rights promotion in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11775/13]
View answerIreland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. We strongly believe that sustainable development can only be achieved by ensuring a strong human rights foundation. That is why the Government places such an emphasis on the promotion of human rights in its poverty eradication efforts in developing countries. Through our overseas aid programme we support the promotion of human rights in developing countries in a number of important ways. Active engagement with and support for civil society is a key aspect of this work. Of Ireland’s total aid budget of €623 million this year, about a quarter will be channelled through civil society organisations to support their valuable work in advancing human rights, whether civil and political, or economic, social and cultural.
Specific funding is also provided for human rights work in Ireland’s nine Programme Countries. This supports the work of Governments for example in ensuring the rule of law, National Human Rights Institutions, non-governmental organisations and others in promoting and protecting human rights, especially for the most vulnerable. Overall funding for governance in our Programme Countries amounted to over €27.5 million in 2011, equivalent to 15% of our total spend there.
At the global level, support is provided for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which plays a pivotal role in overseeing major programmes in protecting human rights and implementing international rights agreements. €2 million was provided for the Office of the High Commissioner by Ireland in 2012. We also support the Irish Human Rights Commission for its work with National Human Rights Institutions in Sierra Leone and Malawi.
Ireland’s current membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council provides a further opportunity to play a vibrant and strong role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. We remain committed to a strong multilateral human rights system which can impartially monitor the implementation of human rights norms. In particular, Ireland is championing the UN Universal Periodic Review mechanism which reviews all member states’ human rights records.
At the European Union level too, Ireland is playing a full an active part in ensuring human rights are advanced in developing countries. Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union reaffirmed the EU’s determination to promote human rights and democracy through all its external actions. Ireland, together with other EU Member States and the European Commission, agreed an EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy last year. By working together effectively in promoting human rights, we believe our impact will be greater.
