Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014
34. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the continued ongoing violent intimidation, repression and arrest of garment workers involved in wage protests in Cambodia and that this repression is being orchestrated by the Cambodian Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8110/14]
View answerI share the concern about the violence during the recent protests by garment workers in Cambodia. We are continuing to follow the situation through our Ambassador in Hanoi, who is accredited to Cambodia, who has been in regular contact with EU colleagues and other partners in Phnom Penh to monitor developments.
Successive Irish Governments have actively promoted the protection of human rights as a core element of our foreign policy. Under the Government’s new policy for international development, One World, One Future, we are committed to working to ensure that economic development is compatible with human rights, including the right to decent work. Our engagement in this area is informed by clear international standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently provides assistance to the International Labour Organisation’s programme, ’Decent Work Agenda’, through a partnership programme for the period 2012-2015. This programme seeks to improve the rights and working conditions of workers in industries like the garment sector in countries such as Cambodia.
It is clear from reports, including by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, that Cambodian authorities used excessive force against demonstrators early last month, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities. I am concerned by these reports, and by the arrests of protestors including several union leaders and human rights defenders. We have used recent opportunities, including at the Universal Periodic Review of Cambodia at the Human Rights Council in Geneva in January, to express our concern and to emphasise to the Cambodian authorities that they must respect the right of peaceful assembly.
The right of human rights defenders to engage without hindrance, intimidation or harassment should also be respected and protected. While freedom of expression is enshrined in the Cambodian Constitution, recent events have demonstrated that restrictions on freedom of expression persist.
Talks to resolve the disputes by garment workers in Cambodia have so far failed to make progress at local level and appear to have reached a political impasse. It is important now that calm is restored and legitimate grievances are addressed. We will continue to monitor the situation and to urge, with our partners that these disputes are addressed and resolved through constructive dialogue.
