Patrick Costello
Question:35. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on adding a human rights observation mandate to MINURSO when it is renewed in October 2021. [42383/21]
View answerThursday, 30 September 2021
Questions (35)
Written answers
As a current member of the Security Council, Ireland seeks to improve the mandates of UN peacekeeping operations so that they align with the needs of the populations that they serve, including in the case of MINURSO. We believe that UN peace operations have an essential role to play in promoting respect for human rights.
Ireland’s longstanding position on Western Sahara is one of full support for MINURSO, the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. In this regard, we hope that agreement can soon be found on the appointment of a Personal Envoy of the Secretary General in order to move forward with the full resumption of dialogue between the parties under the auspices of the UN.
During our term on the Security Council, Ireland has called on all parties to respect the terms of the ceasefire agreement of 1991, to fulfil their obligations under international law, including ensuring full respect for human rights, and to refrain from taking any actions that could lead to further destabilisation of the situation on the ground.
The Council, in UNSCR 2548 of 2020, encouraged the parties to the conflict to develop and implement independent and credible measures to ensure full respect for human rights as well as enhanced cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including by facilitating visits of the High Commissioner to the region.
As part of the Security Council’s consideration of the mandate renewal process in October, the Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of MINURSO will update the Council on the situation.
In the mandate renewal process, as in all our work across the Council agenda, Ireland will continue to promote respect for human rights, accountability and compliance with international law.