Human Rights Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Questions (40)

Seán Crowe

Question:

40. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to an escalation of violence against the community in Pitalito, Colombia, over its ongoing land dispute; if he is aware that shots were fired against members of the community, journalists and human rights defenders; and if he will call for the Colombian Government to give real guarantees and protection for the concerned communities, human rights defenders and reporters and an investigation into this issue. [55349/13]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware of the developments in Pitalito and, at my request, officials of the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico City, which is also accredited to Colombia, have raised with the Colombian authorities concerns regarding the community displaced from their land. The promotion and protection of human rights is a core principle of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland engages on human rights issues in our contacts with the Colombian Government and civil society, including when I met last year with Colombia’s President.

Ireland’s concerns regarding the vulnerable situation of human rights defenders were also raised at the 2013 Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Colombia. In keeping with Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, Ireland continues to work closely with our partners in the EU to monitor closely and to promote the progressive improvement of the human rights situation in Colombia.