Vol. 571 No. 2
132 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to Amnesty International's concerns regarding the continuing failure of the Macedonian authorities to confront police ill-treatment and torture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/03]
I am aware of the recent Amnesty International report on the handling of allegations of police ill-treatment and torture in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The report notes that many of the incidents of concern occurred during the violent conflict which was brought to an end by the Ohrid framework agreement, brokered by the European Union in August 2001.
A key element of the Ohrid framework agreement is the development of an effective, multiethnic police force which meets international standards. Improved policing is also a requirement for the development of closer relations with the EU, in the framework of the stabilisation and association process. Considerable progress has been made since August 2001, not least through the recruitment and training of police officers from non-majority ethnic communities, through the introduction of community policing, and through the elaboration of a strategy for organisational reform of the police force. Last year, Ireland seconded five Garda trainers to the OSCE mission to assist in the elaboration of the training programme for the new multiethnic police force.
In July this year, President Boris Trajkovski invited the European Union to take on an advisory role in policing in Macedonia. The General Affairs and External Relations Council decided at its meeting on 29-30 September to establish an EU police mission, initially for a period of 12 months from December 2003. The overall aims for the mission, which will be unarmed, include the facilitating of the Ohrid agreement, contributing to fair and multiethnic policing and helping to build a stable and secure environment in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. EU police experts will monitor, mentor and advise the country's police.
I hope that these developments will assist the Macedonian authorities in the achievement of European standards of all aspects of policing.
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 114.
