Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
106. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he supports inclusive peace negotiations in Colombia that provide for a stronger role for civil society, and the creation of conditions for the safe participation of civil society in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26700/13]
View answerI strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that the ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there that has caused much suffering. I warmly welcome the agreement reached recently on the land reform element of these peace negotiations. I wish the parties success in reaching agreement on the other important items remaining on their agenda so that a final comprehensive peace agreement can be secured. When I met with Colombia’s President Santos earlier this year, I assured him of Ireland’s support for the peace process. I added that we stand ready, within available means, to share our experiences if invited to do so by the parties to the process. President Santos expressed his appreciation of our support, adding that he is very aware of our own peace process and that the Colombian process has incorporated some useful lessons from it.
At the recent Universal Periodic Review of Colombia at the Human Rights Council, Ireland expressed strong support for the Colombian peace process and encouraged all parties to ensure adequate space for civil society in the process, paying special attention to the participation of women and indigenous communities. I know that some trade unionists and civil society activists, such as those from the Patriotic March who visited Dublin recently, have expressed concerns that their activism places them at risk of attack.
In my view, it is essential to any democratic society that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, who engage peacefully in the political and social developments of their society, can do so without fear of threat or persecution, in particular in the form of risks to their personal security. For this reason, I urge all parties in Colombia to address issues of insecurity so as to foster conditions that best support peace building. I understand that a series of consultations with civil society facilitated by the UN Development Programme and the National University of Colombia are taking place. From an Irish perspective, we see considerable value in a peace process being as inclusive as is possible, in particular as we recognise the positive contribution made by civil society in our own peace process.
