Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in South Sudan remains under observation by the European Union with a view to making a positive impact to protect civilians, the observance of human rights principles and-or set up safe havens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32093/16]
View answerThe European Union maintains a strong focus on South Sudan where ongoing violence and human rights abuses compound an extremely serious humanitarian situation in one of the most fragile countries in the world.
Despite the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity in April 2016, acts of violence and human rights abuses continued in South Sudan. In July, a serious outbreak of fighting between Government and Opposition forces resulted in the deaths of at least 300 people, including two UN peacekeeping troops.
Following the violence in July, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted Conclusions on South Sudan on 18 July. The Council condemned in the strongest terms the attacks on civilians, UN compounds, diplomatic officials and aid workers arising from the widespread violence. The Council Conclusions urged the Government of South Sudan to respect international humanitarian law, and noted that the South Sudanese population had suffered grave abuses, including gender based violence and forced displacement. The Council also commended all neighbouring countries for keeping borders open and hosting South Sudanese refuges, which are now estimated to number over 1 million.
High Representative Federica Mogherini released a statement on behalf of the European Union on 20 September, reiterating the call for the South Sudanese Government to establish the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, as detailed in the Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan, which was agreed by both sides to the civil war in August 2015. The statement also called for the opening of an investigation into all crimes committed during the outbreak of violence in July.
The EU is also among the most generous donors of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, providing over 40% of all humanitarian aid directed to the crisis in 2016.
Ireland also maintains a strong focus on South Sudan through targeted humanitarian assistance, interventions at the Human Rights Council, and engagement at EU level informed by ongoing monitoring by our Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in December 2013, Ireland has provided €28 million in humanitarian assistance through our UN, Red Cross and NGO partners on the ground. This year, Ireland has provided €8.5 million in humanitarian assistance for food and livelihood assistance, treating acute malnutrition, providing shelter and protection, and providing emergency services in health care, water and sanitation and education for the most vulnerable.
Ireland intervened on South Sudan at the Human Rights Council in June 2016. Ireland's statement called on the Transitional Government to respect and protect fundamental human rights, and called for civil society actors, including human rights defenders, to be enabled to exercise their rights free from violence, arrest and intimidation. We also supported calls for the formation of a Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, and encouraged the Commission to pursue recommendations on how transitional justice, accountability and reconciliation could be delivered.
