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Thursday, 28 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 77-84

Foreign Conflicts

Questions (79)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which it has been found possible, unilaterally or in conjunction with his EU and UN colleagues, to focus on issues of war, famine and human rights in the most sensitive areas of Africa; if particular or specific strategies are being pursued in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15932/13]

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Written answers

Since its inception in 1974, Ireland’s programme of official development assistance has had a particular focus on the continent of Africa. Both historically, and in many cases up to and including the present day, African countries have been faced enormous difficulties, including food insecurity, poverty, protracted conflict, environmental degradation, weak government capacity, unequal global trading relationships, severe infrastructural weaknesses, poor governance, debt and the effects of HIV/AIDS. In an effort to help the countries of the continent confront these far-reaching challenges, we channel some 80% of Ireland’s development assistance to Africa.

As the Deputy notes, some countries in Africa continue to face particularly acute challenges in terms of conflict and food insecurity. Through Ireland’s emergency humanitarian budget we respond quickly and effectively to needs arising from such emergencies as well as to the effects of natural disasters across the continent.

The international humanitarian system has undergone significant reform since the Asian tsunami of 2004. Important lessons have been learned in the intervening period from the shortcomings in the international response and major steps have been taken to improve the effectiveness, predictability and accountability of the system as a whole. Ireland has played an important role in this process in practical, financial and policy terms.

Together with a number of other like-minded donor countries, we have worked particularly closely with the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to put in place new systems to improve the way in which aid is delivered and to ensure that coordination on the ground is improved.

Central to these efforts has been the establishment of the Cluster System, which brings together different aid agencies working in sectors such as shelter, nutrition, water and sanitation. Another important development has been the establishment of the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which is a pool of funding held by the UN and which can be released within hours of a disaster. Ireland, which was one of the original advocates for the creation of this fund, has contributed almost US$130 million to it since 2006. We continue to support these and other innovative policy approaches at UN level.

At EU level, there have also been improvements in coordination between Member States and the European Commission, which together constitute the largest donor of development assistance in the world. The European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, adopted in December 2007, commits the EU to working to provide an emergency response based on need and to upholding the principles of good humanitarian practice: humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality. Under our EU Presidency, Ireland is currently chairing the Council Working Party on Humanitarian Aid and Food Assistance and continues to work to enhance coordination and ensure a timely and effective response to crises.

At home, we have also made a number of significant changes in how we respond to humanitarian emergencies. A portion of our emergency funding is now pre-positioned with partner agencies for immediate release in a crisis. This reduces red tape and ensures aid can be disbursed in the critical hours and days following an emergency. In addition, we have developed a network of humanitarian stockpiles around the globe and close to zones vulnerable to natural or other disasters. This means that emergency supplies can be airlifted at short notice directly to where they are needed. We have also established the Rapid Response Corps, a roster of skilled and experienced volunteers who make themselves available to deploy at short notice to work in humanitarian emergency situations.

Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 71.

Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 67.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (82)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

82. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to support recognition of women's rights in India, with particular reference to the need to bring about a cessation of violence against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15935/13]

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Written answers

The Government of Ireland is aware of attacks on women in India in recent months and is concerned about the situation. Ireland’s diplomatic relations with India are maintained through the Irish embassy in New Delhi and through India’s embassy in Dublin. Further to this, Ireland and India continue to cooperate through the EU and the UN to ensure that human rights are respected in India and elsewhere.

I have been informed that India’s Parliament recently passed into law the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance (2013) in response to recent attacks on women. This follows a call on 31 December 2012, from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, for urgent and rational debate on comprehensive measures to address such crimes. She also welcomed the Indian Government’s announcement that it would establish a Commission of Inquiry into public safety of women in New Delhi.

‘UN Women’, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women is active in India, and continues to push for the creation and implementation of laws, policies and programmes that provide real opportunities for women to exercise their rights as equal citizens of India.

The Deputy may also be aware that India underwent a Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights on 24 May 2012. During this review, Ireland together with our EU partners, supported recommendations which called upon India to enact comprehensive reforms to address all acts of violence against women.

At EU level, India’s relationship with the European Union has been underpinned by the EU-India Strategic Partnership since 2004. This Partnership has seen both sides commit to dialogues on areas of mutual interest, including human rights issues. The latest EU-India Summit was held in New Delhi in February 2012 where, among other matters raised, there was an exchange of views concerning human rights.

Ireland was elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the period 2013-2015 in late 2012. During our term at the HRC Ireland will work with partners, including India, on a range of matters of mutual concern and interest and will continue to urge India to ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (83)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community, through the aegis of the EU and UN continues to register its abhorrence at attempts to prevent girls and women from achieving a full education in Pakistan, particularly following the shooting of Malala Yousafzai; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15936/13]

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Written answers

I refer the Deputy to my reply of 20 February concerning this matter.

As the Deputy is aware, the shooting of Malala Yousafzai in October 2012 drew widespread condemnation from all levels of the international community including the EU and UN. The High Representative / Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton, and the Secretary General of the United National Ban Ki Moon issued statements condemning this attack – condemnations which I shared at the time, and continue to share.

Again, I wish to state that I admire Malala Yousufzai’s courageous efforts to promote the fundamental right to education and her efforts to achieve education for women and girls in Pakistan and other regions worldwide.

On 7 March my colleague, Minister for State, Kathleen Lynch met with Mr Shaigan Sharif Malik the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights while at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, New York. During this meeting, the Minister of State raised the shooting of Malala Yousufzai and conveyed the shock of Ireland and the international community. In response, Mr Malik conveyed that this event had shocked the whole nation of Pakistan.. He assured the Minister of State that the Pakistani Parliament was acting on women’s issues and considering legal reforms that would tackle minority extremists.

At a recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on the 11 March, Ireland together with our EU partners adopted conclusions which support Pakistan in upholding the rule of law and human rights. Further to this, the Foreign Affairs Council also strongly condemned all acts of violence against women, children and religious minorities and urged the authorities in Pakistan to take the necessary action to protect the rights of all citizens and bring perpetrators to justice.

At UN level, Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of expression and opinion. In addition, as an elected member of the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the period 2013-2015, Ireland is fully engaged at the UN to ensure that these rights are protected. Pakistan was also recently elected to the HRC for the period 2013-2015, so we will have the opportunity of working closely with them on a range of human rights issues.

I am informed that Malala Yousafzai was discharged from Hospital in February and is recuperating from her injuries well. I am happy to say that she has returned to her education, having started school in Birmingham.

In Ireland’s exchanges with Pakistan, both sides have underlined support for the views espoused by Malala Yousafzai. Ireland and our international partners will continue to support equal access to education for boys and girls and urge the government of Pakistan to fulfil its international and constitutional obligations and protect all citizens’ rights.

Human Rights Issues

Questions (84)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to register his protest at the continued imprisonment of an Irish citizen (details supplied) currently imprisoned in Sri Lanka; the extent to which legal and consular facilities are being made available to the person; if the authorities there recognise that their treatment is not in accord with international human rights standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15937/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware from previous replies in relation to this Irish citizen, my officials remain in close and direct contact with the person’s spouse and family and liaise directly with them on any request for assistance or on any development on this case. The Ambassador and officers in the Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Sri Lanka, have also been very active in pursuit of progress in this difficult case.

The person named by the Deputy has been detained in Sri Lanka since 5 September 2007. No charge was brought against him until 29 January 2013. I am informed that at his trial on that date a sentence of one month was imposed. Subsequently, he was informed that he would be released on 12 February 2013. Based on this information his family made flight arrangements for him to return to Ireland. Officials from the Honorary Consulate attended the prison on 12 February to be present on his release and to offer any possible consular assistance. They were informed that the release would not go ahead and that further charges would be brought against him.

As previously communicated to the Deputy in my response to PQ9267/13, I wrote to the Minister for External Affairs expressing in the strongest possible terms my disappointment and concern at the sudden manner by which the release was revoked and asking that the Minister act to ensure that all possible due process of law is afforded to the person named by the Deputy. Our Ambassador in New Delhi travelled to Sri Lanka on 20 February and personally delivered my letter to the Sri Lankan Minister for External Affairs. The Ambassador also made a prison visit to the person named on the same day.

The Ambassador and another Diplomatic Officer in New Delhi again travelled to Sri Lanka last Thursday, 21 March 2013, and a prison visit was again made to the person named by the Deputy. The person named by the Deputy is being treated as a foreign prisoner which allows him some privileges including a better standard of food. He is in regular contact with his wife and lawyer and has not raised any issues about access to communication with his family or lawyer. Our Honorary Consulate in Colombo is also in regular contact with the prison and the person named by the Deputy to ensure that he is treated well.

The Ambassador and the Diplomatic Officer also met with the lawyer acting on behalf of the person named by the Deputy and will remain in touch with him to ensure the Embassy is kept fully aware of any developments in the case and to offer assistance in making any representations to the Sri Lankan government which the lawyer thinks may be helpful. The lawyer indicated that the Sri Lankan Supreme Court has ordered that all charges be dealt with by September 2013.

As the Deputy will be aware from previous replies, the EU Delegation in Colombo is also pursuing this case on our behalf and we are in ongoing contact with them, including at Ambassadorial level.

As the Deputy may also recall from my response to PQ55354, Sri Lanka underwent its Universal Periodic Review, or UPR, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on the 1st of November last year. In advance questions to Sri Lanka, Ireland raised the issue of legal safeguards for persons suspected or charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, stressing the importance of trials taking place within a reasonable time frame. Ireland also requested information on any actions taken or plans to begin a process of reintegration for those in detention following the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka in May 2009, or information on any plans to begin legal proceedings in accordance with due process against those in detention. Finally, Ireland recommended that the Government of Sri Lanka take steps to ensure that all detainees are afforded a fair trial within a reasonable time period.

The Deputy will also be interested to know that on 21 March 2013, at the 22nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, a resolution on Sri Lanka, entitled "Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka" was adopted. Ireland co-sponsored and voted in favour of this resolution, which included a call for a re-evaluation of detention policies in that country.

My Department will continue to take every opportunity to seek to discuss this case bilaterally with the Sri Lankan authorities and at international fora.

I can assure the Deputy that all possible consular assistance will continue to be provided in this very difficult case and that my officials will continue to liaise with the family of the person named by the Deputy.

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