Written Answers. - Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:
56
Ms O'Sullivan
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the potential for achievement, by Ireland, in the area of judicial reform in Algeria in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[16101/00]
The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership is based on the Barcelona Declaration of November 1995, which contains a number of commitments relating to the general areas of the development of democracy, law and human rights which are relevant to the issue of judicial reform.
All the partners have undertaken to:
".act in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as other obligations under international law, in particular those arising out of regional and international agreements to which they are party; develop the rule of law and democracy in their political systems, while recognising in this framework the right of each of them to choose and freely develop its own political, socio-cultural, economic and judicial system; respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and guarantee the effective legitimate exercise of such rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of association for peaceful purposes and freedom of thought, conscience and religion, both individually and together with other members of the same group, without any discrimination on grounds of race, nationality, language, religion or sex".
The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership is also seeking to develop the judicial co-operation necessary for the effective combating of drug trafficking, international crime and terrorism. A meeting of senior officials from all 27 Euro-Mediterranean partner countries next November will examine closer co-operation in these areas.
Despite some setbacks the Algerian Government has committed itself to the democratisation and reform process. Algeria's constitution of 1996 guarantees basic human rights, including an independent judiciary. Algeria is also party to a number of human rights conventions, such as the international covenants on civil and political rights and on economic, social and cultural rights and the convention against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The EU has encouraged Algeria to honour these commitments and to persevere with necessary reforms, modernisation, and improvement of human rights, and has offered constructive assistance through the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. Ireland is continuing to take a very active part in these discussions.
