Skip to main content
Normal View

Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2018

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Questions (140, 141, 142)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the level of reported ethnic and linguistic tensions in Cameroon in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46580/18]

View answer

Catherine Connolly

Question:

141. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the political and security situation in Cameroon; the representations that have been made to the Cameroon Government on these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46581/18]

View answer

Catherine Connolly

Question:

142. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the level of support being provided to refugees in Cameroon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46582/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 142, inclusive, together.

The current situation in Cameroon is complex and worrying.

Cameroon held Presidential elections last month amidst security and humanitarian crises. In addition to the grave challenge posed by insecurity in the Anglophone North West and South West regions, Cameroon is also highly affected by the operations of the Boko Haram. A further complication is the large number of refugees from the crisis in the Central African Republic who are taking refuge in the east of Cameroon.

I met the Cameroon Minister for Education in February, when we discussed the situation in his country. The escalation of violence in its South West and North West regions is the most pressing threat to political stability in Cameroon.

The current unrest in the South West and North West regions began in November 2016 when English-speaking teachers and lawyers demonstrated against the dominant use of the French language. Separatists demanded the English-speaking North West and South West secede from the rest of the country. At least 400 civilians, 170 members of the armed forces, and an unknown number of separatists have died in violence associated with the secession crisis. According to UN OCHA, approximately 437,500 people have been displaced, with 26,000 people having sought refuge in Nigeria .

While Ireland does not have an Embassy in Cameroon, our Embassy in Nigeria continues to monitor the situation closely as many refugees from Cameroon are crossing the border into Nigeria. Our Ambassador in Nigeria recently met with Cameroonian refugees based in Calabar, Nigeria. Following this meeting, concerns raised by the refugees were brought to the attention of the Country Representative of UNHCR in Abuja.

The Department is engaged in monitoring in the evolving humanitarian situation and its regional impact, via the UN Resident Coordinator, UNOCHA, the EU delegation in Yaoundé, and in contacts with regional bodies.

In this context, I recall the EEAS statement of 28 September on the situation in Cameroon, which called for constructive and inclusive dialogue for a sustainable solution. It remains the responsibility of the Government of Cameroon to create a secure environment in which all citizens are protected from violence, and where international human rights standards, including protection for minority groups, are upheld.

Ireland supports the humanitarian efforts of United Nations and civil society bodies providing aid to those affected by the conflict. Irish Aid rapid responders have been deployed to Cameroon and to Nigeria to assist the United Nations to respond to the needs of displaced persons and refugees. In addition, Ireland is directly providing non-food item kits for 5,000 displaced households in Cameroon.

Ireland participated in the May 2018 review of the human rights situation in Cameroon by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

Top
Share