Michael Ring
Ceist:31 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he and his EU counterparts have taken in relation to the situation in Sierre Leone. [8319/00]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
The Government is actively supporting efforts aimed at securing lasting peace and stability in Sierra Leone. The nine years of civil war in the country have caused untold suffering to the people there.
Together with our EU partners, we welcomed the ceasefire agreed in July of last year in Lomé, and have called on all parties to the agreement to fully implement its provisions, and observe human rights and international humanitarian law. With our EU partners, we continue to be supportive of ongoing efforts by the UN to implement the agreement, notably through the establishment of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone. In this regard, we welcome the Security Council Resolution of 7 February authorising the expansion of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). However, we are concerned at the report of the Secretary General of 7 March, stating that despite some progress in the establishment of certain bodies under the Lomé Agreement, progress in other areas of the peace process remains very slow and that the security situation continues to be volatile. In particular, we share the grave concern expressed in the report about continuing human rights abuses in Sierra Leone, as well as reports of a serious humanitarian situation, especially in those parts of the country where UNAMSIL access is being obstructed. This is unacceptable, given the commitments made by all parties to the Lomé Peace Agreement to ensure protection and promotion of human rights and unhindered access throughout the country.
As part of our ongoing bilateral support, Ireland continues to commit significant funds to the international humanitarian effort for the suffering people of Sierra Leone. Last year in response to the crisis, Ireland Aid provided £350,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance. This aid was channelled via the World Food Programme and the Irish NGOs Concern and GOAL for their respective programmes. So far this year Ir£150,000 has been allocated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its resettlement and rehabilitation programme. In addition, the European Union is providing support to Sierra Leone both by way of emergency assistance through the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), and longer term support programmes through the European Development Fund (EDF). ECHO has provided almost 19 million euros in emergency humanitarian assistance over the last 12 months. A further package of five million euros is currently being implemented. In December 1999, the EDF management committee approved funding for an 8.9 million euros structural adjustment support programme aimed at assisting the Government of Sierra Leone in its post-conflict recovery reforms.
Along with our EU and UN partners, we will continue to support diplomatic efforts aimed at consolidating a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict, and to provide appropriate humanitarian relief to the vulnerable civilian population, in addition to maintaining pressure on all parties to fully observe human rights and international humanitarian law.