Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which from Ireland’s vantage point on the UN Security council, he expects to create a greater awareness of human rights abuses worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47103/21]
View answer75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he plans to encourage the reinvigoration of the United Nations during Ireland’s Presidency of the Security Council with a view to ensuring respect for its role and its ability to intervene in a meaningful way to protect democracy and human rights on a worldwide scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47102/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 75 together.
Ireland’s Presidency of the United Nations Security Council in September provides an important opportunity to advance our foreign policy priorities, including the promotion and protection of human rights. Since taking up our seat in January, we have consistently worked to uphold international human rights law and International Humanitarian Law, and to promote accountability for violations.
We have continued to focus on human rights issues in discussions on country situations during our Presidency. On 9 September, I chaired a Council meeting on Afghanistan which took place in advance of the Council’s extension of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission. I stressed that those in power in Kabul must adhere to Afghanistan’s obligations under international humanitarian, refugee and human rights law, and that women and girls must be treated as equal citizens.
In Security Council meetings this month on Yemen, Libya and South Sudan, Ireland emphasised the need for human rights to be fully respected. In the Council's recent meeting on Sudan, Ireland focused on the need to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation on women in new democratic institutions. As co-penholder with Norway of the Syria humanitarian file, Ireland renewed calls for unhindered humanitarian access, while condemning recent attacks on hospitals and schools.
It is crucial that the Security Council hears the voices of those affected by its decisions, and we have sought to ensure the participation of civil society speakers in Council meetings during our Presidency with a particular focus on women peacebuilders. This is in line with our longstanding support for the work of civil society organisations and human rights defenders, and our prioritisation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
We will continue to use our membership of the Security Council to promote greater awareness of human rights, and to call for the Council to hold accountable all those who violate international law and perpetrate human rights violations.
