Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2016
720. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what he will do to ensure that respect for human rights remains a criterion guiding engagement with the governments which take part in the Valletta action plan and the Khartoum and Rabat processes, particularly in Eritrea and in Sudan. [46715/15]
View answerThe protection and promotion of human rights has long been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Our membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (2013 to 2015) afforded us the opportunity to underline and reinforce that commitment at the very heart of the global human rights machinery.
Respect for human rights is also fundamental to the EU’s foreign policy. Since 1995, the European Commission has included a human rights clause in all negotiated bilateral agreements of a general nature. This so-called "essential elements" clause applies to agreements with over 120 countries. In 2012 an EU Special Representative for Human Rights was appointed further highlighting the EU commitment to human rights.
The EU Action Plan for Democracy and Human Rights (2015-2019) was adopted by the EU Foreign Ministers on 20 July 2015. The Plan includes a commitment to enhancing human rights safeguards in all migration and mobility dialogues and co-operation frameworks with third countries as well as in migration-related agreements, processes and programmes.
Ireland actively participated in the Valletta Summit Meeting of 11\12 November, 2015 which brought leaders from the EU and Africa together to address migration challenges originating in Africa. The protection of human rights is a central element in the Valletta Action Plan. The state of play of the implementation of the Plan will be regularly monitored within the framework of the Africa-EU Strategy, as well as within bilateral political dialogues among signatories to the Plan. This will help ensure that respect for human rights continues to guide engagement with participating Governments, including Eritrea and Sudan.
The Rabat Process – a framework for migration dialogue between the all countries of the EU and the countries of West and Central Africa – is under the guidance of a Steering Committee, the major decision-making body directing the Process. The Committee’s membership includes Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. Respect for human-rights is a core feature of the Rome Programme, the strategic framework of the Rabat Process for the period 2014-2017.
The Khartoum Process - which also highlights the importance of human rights in the context of Migration - is being steered by a group of core EU and African countries as well as by the European Commission and the European External Action Service. All EU member states as well as Eritrea and Sudan are parties to the Khartoum Process.
Given Ireland’s and the EU’s commitment to human rights, and that this commitment is effectively embedded in all three processes (Valetta Action Plan and the Khartoum and Rabat Processes), the Deputy can be assured that respect for human rights will remain a priority for both Ireland’s and the EU’s continuing engagement with these processes.
