Vol. 535 No. 2
143 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the international campaign against bonded slavery worldwide; if the Government has taken any steps to support this campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12462/01]
The Government is committed to the active promotion of full observance of universal human rights standards, including opposing and seeking the elimination of all contemporary forms of slavery. Contemporary forms of slavery include practices such as the sale of children, child prostitution, child pornography, the exploitation of child labour, the sexual mutilation of female children, the use of children in armed conflicts, debt bondage and trafficking in persons.
I am aware of campaigns against slavery and bonded labour. In particular, I have welcomed Trócaire's initiative to highlight the issue of contemporary forms of slavery as their Lenten campaign this year and I supported the aims of the campaign. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy O'Donnell, has met representatives of Trócaire to discuss the campaign and ways in which the Government can support it.
Slavery and human rights issues in general are normally considered by the UN bodies which have a specific role and expertise in this area, notably the Commission on Human Rights, which concluded its fifty-seventh session in Geneva last week, and the International Labour Organisation – ILO.
My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Tom Kitt, has also met representatives of Trócaire to discuss bonded labour and has undertaken to take into account the issues raised in making our national preparations for the ILO annual conference in June 2001.
The protection and promotion of the rights of all human beings is the first responsibility of every government. The persistence of contemporary forms of slavery, a most fundamental abuse of human rights, presents a challenge to all governments. Highlighting and addressing this issue, with the assistance of organisations like Trócaire, is a priority for the Government.
