The issue of human rights is a priority policy concern of this Government and, as such, is a central component of our foreign policy. We believe that the international community has legitimate concerns in this area and we are conscious of the responsibility which devolves on all governments to promote and protect human rights.
In co-operation with our EU partners we continue to monitor closely the human rights situations in a number of countries. On many occasions we have identified situations which gave cause for serious concern. For example, at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly in November, the common EU statement highlighted our common anxiety at human rights violations in certain countries which are of particular concern at the moment, such as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Belarus, Turkey, the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Niger, the Sudan, Algeria, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cambodia, Burma-Myanmar, East Timor, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Colombia. It may be necessary to address these concerns again at the next session of the UN Commission on Human Rights which will convene in Geneva in March 1998. Hopefully, we will also be in a position to welcome improvements in this area as a result of international efforts and dialogue. In that regard, we believe that applying international pressure through appropriate multilateral international organisations is the most effective means of eliminating human rights violations.
As I recently assured the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ireland will continue to fulfil our obligation to promote the observance of universal human rights standards.