Written Answers Nos. 57-65
59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community has specifically engaged with the opposing factions in Southern Sudan with particular reference to the urgent need to protect the civilian population; if any specific initiatives have been taken in this regard in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8575/14]
View answerThe East African regional grouping, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has led mediation efforts between the two parties to the conflict in South Sudan. IGAD brokered a ceasefire last month and is currently mediating a second round of peace talks focused on resolving political differences between the parties.
The EU strongly supports the role being played by IGAD in mediating the ceasefire and peace talks. IGAD negotiators have been unstinting in their efforts to chart a new political part for South Sudan, and the EU stands ready to assist in practical ways requested by the negotiation team. The EU, through its Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, is also closely monitoring the peace efforts.
In accordance with international humanitarian law, all parties to the conflict have the responsibility to protect civilians. All those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be accountable for their actions. Ireland, and our EU Partners, welcome the African Union’s commitment to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights abuses. The Commission of Inquiry will be an essential part of the process of reconciliation, and I hope that it will be in a position to commence its work shortly.
In response to the outbreak of violence, the UN has also strengthened the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to ensure the protection of civilians and the strengthening of its human rights investigative capacity.
60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which human rights abuses in the Horn of Africa remain a concern for the international community; the steps taken or to be taken to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8576/14]
View answerThe human rights situation in the Horn of Africa remains a matter of concern. It has been is severely affected by the consequences of the humanitarian crisis in large parts of the region.
Ireland, together with our EU Partners, pursues a strategic and comprehensive approach to the Horn of Africa through the EU Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa. This approach encompasses political and diplomatic engagement, development co-operation programming, humanitarian assistance, and support for peacekeeping operations. EU engagement aims to achieve peace, security and good governance based on the democratic principles of the rule of law and respect for human rights. The EU actively promotes human rights in the region through its support to human rights NGOs, promotion of women’s rights and support for a free and independent media. The EU has appointed a Special Representative to the Horn of Africa to co-ordinate EU efforts in the region.
Human rights concerns are central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, Ireland closely monitors the human rights situations in countries of the Horn of Africa. Where and when the situation warrants, we make known our concerns about human rights violations to the Governments in question. We do this bilaterally, through the EU and at the UN General Assembly and in the UN Human Rights Council, of which we are a member for the period 2013 to 2015. Ireland supports the use of the full UN human rights machinery in responding to human rights abuses. This includes support for the role of UN Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Bodies, Special Procedure Mandate Holders and for the convening, where appropriate, of Special Sessions of the UN Human Rights Council.
63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which aid promised to the Philippines, Haiti and other areas similarly affected by natural disasters in the past five years has in fact been delivered in full as promised; the degree to which such deficiencies have been identified by the international community and with what effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8579/14]
View answerSignificant progress has been made in recent years to improve the scale and effectiveness of the response of the international community to major disasters and humanitarian crises. Many lessons have been learned from previous crises such as the 2004 tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Under the leadership of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), clear systems have been put in place to ensure the most effective, efficient and rapid delivery of aid possible. Ireland has been playing our part in ensuring these reforms are implemented, so that responses are timely and effective, and meet the most critical, immediate needs.
Two months after the January 2010 Haiti earthquake, an international donor conference was held in New York, at which US $4.5 billion worth of assistance over two years was pledged by the international community in response to the crisis. UN figures indicate that, by the end of 2012, just $2.38 billion of this had actually been disbursed. For our part, we worked hard to meet Ireland’s commitments to the people of Haiti. By the end of 2012, our pledge of €13 million had been honoured and exceeded, with support totalling almost €14 million.
At the UN in New York in September 2011, the Tánaiste pledged that €10 million in humanitarian assistance would be made available to help the poorest and most vulnerable in the Horn of Africa before the end of 2012. I am happy to report that this pledge has also been met, with almost €12 million in funding provided by December 2012. Similarly, at the High-Level International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria in January 2013, I announced a commitment of €4.7 million to support the provision of humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighbouring countries. By the end of 2013, this pledge had been exceeded by over €6.5 million, with a total of €11.3 million in assistance provided throughout the course of the year. Ireland can be very proud of our record on delivery of our pledges.
Even though no official pledging conference took place in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan which struck the Philippines in November 2014, according to the UN’s Financial Tracking Service, as of 14 February 2014 over US$660 million has been contributed to the response by the international community and a further US$377 million has been pledged but not yet committed.
Ireland was one of the first countries to respond to this natural disaster and our contribution to date stands at over €4 million. The Government also authorised the deployment of a technical mission to explore ways in which Ireland can most effectively contribute to the recovery process. Further financial assistance in 2014 will be considered on the basis of the recommendations of this technical team’s report.
In order to promote the importance of ensuring that donor aid pledges are credible, achievable, and properly monitored, the OECD has published a ‘Recommendation on Good Pledging Practice’. This comprises a set of principles relating to pledging practice for financial undertakings to developing countries and is designed to serve as a benchmark to help OECD Member States frame future aid pledges in terms that are clear, practical, realistic, and capable of being monitored. Ireland strongly supports this OECD initiative and will continue to use all appropriate fora to urge our fellow donors to ensure that they meet their humanitarian commitments in full.
