Vol. 500 No. 5
96 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the ongoing trial of persons (details supplied) and 18 co-defendants in Khartoum, Sudan, in view of recent reports which state that these persons and 17 of the 18 defendants have been tortured and, if convicted, the accused could face the death penalty and may be crucified under Sudan's Islamic Code; and the representations, if any, he had made in relation to this matter. [4521/99]
The Government, together with its European partners, has been taking a close interest in the trials of those accused in connection with the bombings which took place last June in Khartoum. We have been especially concerned that those accused were being tried by military court, could possibly be subjected to the death penalty and have had only limited access to lawyers. These concerns have been heightened by reports that confessions were extracted from the accused under torture. The fact that, if convicted, they have no means of appeal, runs contrary to the right of higher judicial review enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Sudan is a party.
I have raised these concerns at the General Affairs Council and they are now being addressed in the Union's ongoing contacts with the Sudanese authorities. In addition, they are being pursued by the Irish Ambassador in Cairo who is accredited to Sudan as well as to Egypt. At my request, he has been monitoring the relevant cases since last year. The Papal Nuncio to Sudan, who is dealing with this matter on behalf of the Vatican authorities, is reported to have spent some time with the accused. At present, the competence of the military tribunal to hear their cases is under review by the constitutional court which has not yet delivered its verdict. Pending the outcome of that verdict I am told that some priest colleagues have been able to accompany lawyers visiting the accused in prison.
99 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Burma in relation to human rights and the production of heroin; and the discussions, if any, he has had with our European partners on this issue. [4524/99]
I remain deeply concerned at the human rights situation in Burma. I am aware also that Burma is a major centre for the production of opium and heroin for delivery to European countries.
The Government's position in relation to Burma is based on the common position adopted by the European Union in October 1996. This common position stressed the Unions profound concern at the continuing deterioration of the political situation in Burma including the restrictions imposed on fundamental rights of freedom such as speech, movement and assembly. It put in place an arms embargo together with a suspension of non-humanitarian aid or development programmes, imposed various restrictions on the military in Burma and urged the regime to restore democracy without delay and to respect human rights.
The EU common position was renewed for a further six months at the General Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 26 October 1998. It was strengthened by a widening of the visa ban to include transit visas explicitly under the current ban and by an extension of the ban to cover Burmese authorities in the tourism sector. I have made it clear to our EU partners that Ireland supports a further strengthening and broadening of the sanctions against the Burmese regime by extending the present measures to include restrictions on trade and investment.
The question of drugs trafficking between Burma and the EU is a matter of serious concern and is the subject of frequent discussions among EU partners. Every effort is being made by the police and customs authorities within the Union to restrict this heinous trade.
