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Human Rights Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013

Thursday, 16 May 2013

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 focus on the situation in the Horn of Africa with particular reference to conflict and human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23614/13]

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Written answers

The situation in the Horn of Africa continues to be a serious concern for the international community, including the European Union. The EU is continuing to implement vigorously its comprehensive Strategy for the Horn of Africa which was adopted in 2011 and which covers the entire region including the situations in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Kenya and other countries of the region. It addresses all dimensions on the different crises in the region including conflict, underdevelopment, and issues related to governance and human rights.

The EU is also implementing significant humanitarian and recovery programmes to respond to the food security crisis and the impact of conflict in the region, including its 'Supporting the Horn of Africa's Resilience' (SHARE) initiative, which was born out of the 2011 Horn of Africa food crisis, and which aims to promote resilience for vulnerable communities in the region.

The situation in Somalia continues to be a major focus of international attention. I represented Ireland at the Somalia Conference in London on 7 May which was attended by representatives of more than 50 countries and international organisations. The Conference discussed a wide range of issues relating to ongoing efforts to consolidate lasting peace and stability in Somalia after twenty years of conflict and lawlessness.

Ireland is making an important contribution to efforts to improve the security situation in Somalia through providing the Commander and a significant contingent of personnel for the EU Training Mission in Somalia, which is building the capacity of the Somali National Security Forces to enable them to take over responsibility for security and law and order. Ireland has contributed more than €41 million to efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Somalia and the region, and we are committed to continuing to provide support and help in this area. We have also indicated, in the context of our new Policy on International Development, ‘One World, One Future’, which we launched earlier this month, and which has a strengthened focus on fragile states, that Ireland will examine other opportunities for assisting Somalia’s recovery in the period ahead. A further important international Conference on Somalia, with particular focus on ways of supporting its economic and social development in the context of the Busan New Deal on Fragile States, will be hosted by the European Union in Brussels later this year.

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