Dan Boyle
Ceist:164 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department views the current human rights situation in Cuba. [24533/03]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.
Irish and EU policy towards Cuba is defined by the EU Common Position adopted in December 1996. This policy aims to encourage a peaceful transition to democratic pluralism, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as a sustainable increase in the living standards of the Cuban people.
In April 2003, Ireland and our EU partners condemned the summary trial and lengthy prison sentences imposed on 75 dissidents for exercising their right to freedom of speech, as well as the summary trial and rapid execution of three ferry-boat hijackers, which were in breach of international minimum standards for the implementation of the death penalty.
Mindful of reports about the poor detention conditions of prisoners with serious health problems, the EU on 5 June called once again on the Cuban authorities to release immediately all political prisoners and appealed to the Cuban authorities to ensure that prisoners were not exposed to inhumane treatment. The EU also took a number of diplomatic steps, in line with the policy set out in the common position. The measures adopted on 5 June 2003 were to limit bilateral high-level governmental visits, to reduce participation in cultural events, to invite Cuban dissidents to national day events at EU embassies in Havana and to proceed to an early re-evaluation of the EU Common Position, which had not been due to take place until December 2003.
On 21 July 2003, the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, confirmed the objectives of the Common Position. The Council noted that since the previous evaluation of December 2002 not only had there been no positive steps by the Cuban Government in terms of improved respect for human rights, but the human rights situation had actually deteriorated. The Council also noted that since the beginning of 2003 the Cuban authorities had clamped down on private small businesses, further curtailed access to the Internet, impounded satellite televisions and confiscated foreign newspapers and radios. Nevertheless, the Council reaffirmed the validity of the Common Position's constructive engagement with Cuba as the basis of EU policy towards that country, to be pursued through continuing political dialogue with a view to producing tangible results in the political, economic and civil rights spheres, as well as by means of development co-operation in order to,inter alia, improve the living standards of the Cuban people.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:165 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department views the current human rights situation in Sudan. [24534/03]
The Government continues to be concerned about human rights in Sudan. While some progress has been made in alleviating the suffering caused by 20 years of civil war and, by default, the type of human rights abuses so often found in times of conflict, the overall human rights situation in Sudan remains grim. Through our membership of the EU and of the intergovernmental authority on development, IGAD, international partners' forum, Ireland will continue to press the Government of Sudan for progress in such areas as democracy, freedom of the media and religious freedom. In addition, the EU will continue to voice strongly its opposition to the use of the death penalty.
In 1999, the EU recommenced its political dialogue with the Government of Sudan. While the encouraging progress made in the peace talks has rightly been the focus of international support, the EU has not forgotten that the issue of human rights in Sudan needs to be urgently addressed. Therefore, the EU continues to accord high priority to democracy, good governance and the rule of law in its ongoing dialogue with the Government of Sudan. In addition to that political dialogue, in March 2003 the EU opened a dialogue with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to encourage thede facto leadership in southern Sudan to play a progressive role in human rights in that region. During its Presidency of the EU in 2004, Ireland will play its part in efforts to achieve a consensus resolution of the Sudanese problem.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:166 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department views the current human rights situation in Tunisia. [24535/03]
While the Tunisian authorities have taken measures to promote pluralism, democracy and freedom of expression, association and the press, concerns remain about serious restrictions on some individual human rights in Tunisia. Ireland, along with its EU partners, avails of every opportunity to encourage the Tunisian Government to take further measures to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights. We will continue to impress upon this Government the importance of implementing all necessary reforms.
The Government believes that the human rights dialogue between the EU and Tunisia is enhanced by the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement under the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. In particular, Article 2 of the agreement states that respect for democratic principles and fundamental human rights, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guides the internal and international policies of the parties and will constitute an essential element of the agreement. The agreement also commits Tunisia to developing the rule of law and democracy, including the upholding of fundamental freedoms. At the most recent meeting of the EU-Tunisia association council on 29 September, the EU availed of the opportunity to make its concerns known to the Tunisian Government.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:167 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department views the current human rights situation in Zimbabwe. [24536/03]
The Government is deeply concerned about human rights in Zimbabwe. It has been clear to Ireland and the EU for some time that the Government of Zimbabwe is not a willing partner in dialogue on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, so much so that a political dialogue initiated by the EU to address these issues was closed in February 2002 following the failure of the Government of Zimbabwe to protect human rights in that country and to engage on the subject at any meaningful level.
On 18 February 2003, the EU adopted a Common Position on Zimbabwe which noted the degradation of the political situation in Zimbabwe and renewed sanctions imposed on those the EU deems most responsible for the violation of human rights. Also in February, the EU issued a declaration expressing its concern at detailed incidences of arbitrary arrests and inhumane treatment of opposition members and civil society organisers and calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition.
The EU has identified a number of benchmarks for the Government of Zimbabwe to meet, which could lead to a normalisation of relations with the EU. Among the short-term benchmarks identified were an end to political intimidation and violence, the restoration of democratic values and respect for human rights. Medium-term measures to be undertaken by the Government of Zimbabwe include introducing a number of proposals to Parliament to redress current restrictions on freedom of expression and association.
The situation in Zimbabwe is grave and it is a particularly dangerous time for individuals who actively oppose the Government. I condemn utterly the abuses being carried out by state forces and other groups affiliated to the governing party and the lack of accountability on the part of the Government of Zimbabwe in these matters.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:168 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department views the current human rights situation in Western Sahara. [24537/03]
The Government is concerned about human rights in Western Sahara. Ireland has consistently supported the right of the Saharaoui people to self-determination. While a ceasefire has been in place for some time between the parties, the conflict in Western Sahara has given rise to serious humanitarian issues which remain unresolved, including the plight of the Saharaoui refugees in Algeria. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross are actively involved with the Polisario and the Government of Algeria to alleviate the situation in the camps, which are mainly located in the Tindouf region of Algeria. The EU is providing assistance and additional measures are under consideration.
The Government is also concerned about the fates of the combatants in the conflict, including the fates of those who disappeared during the conflict and the continuing detention of Moroccan prisoners of war by the Polisario. The Government firmly believes that there is a compelling humanitarian case that all prisoners be released immediately and without preconditions. The recent release by Polisario of 243 of these prisoners was a welcome step. We wish to see all parties meeting their humanitarian obligations in full without further delay.
The Government has raised these concerns in all appropriate forums, including during Ireland's term of office on the Security Council. They will continue to raise these issues in contacts both bilaterally and in concert with our EU partners.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:169 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department views the current human rights situation in West Papua. [24538/03]
I have set out the Government's position on Papua, including its human rights record, a number of times this year. At the April meeting of the EU external relations Council Ireland, together with our EU partners, adopted revised Council conclusions on Indonesia. We support the development of a strengthened dialogue and partnership between the EU and Indonesia as the best means by which to address our concerns. I met with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr. Wirajuda, at the EU-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting at Brussels in January 2003 and raised issues of particular concern, including the situation in Papua. Deputy Kitt, Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, also met with Mr. Wirajuda at the ASEM Foreign Ministers' meeting hosted by Mr. Wirajuda in July 2003 and reiterated these concerns.
Officials of my Department raised these concerns when they met with their Indonesian counterparts at the ASEM senior officials' meeting, held in Jakarta on 12 and 13 May 2003, and again at the senior officials' meeting on 21 and 22 July 2003, which preceded the ASEM Foreign Ministers' meeting. Officials of my Department also meet regularly with representatives of the West Papua action group. On 12 September 2003 they met with Mr. Aloysius Renwarin, director of the Papua-based Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy, ELSHAM, and were briefed on the situation in Papua.
The Government continues to monitor the situation closely and will continue to encourage the authorities in Indonesia to act with full regard to the interests of the people of Papua. In this regard, I welcome the decision of the Indonesian Government in August to suspend the implementation of the presidential decree dividing Papua into three provinces. Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to support the development of a strengthened partnership and effective dialogue between the EU and Indonesia. The Government sees this as the most effective framework at this time for addressing our serious concerns about the situation in Papua.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:170 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which his Department views the current human rights situation in Pakistan. [24540/03]
The issue of human rights in Pakistan is of concern to the Government and to our EU partners. We pursue these concerns together with our partners in the European Union through appropriate channels in the United Nations and in our bilateral relations. EU heads of mission have undertaken a number of démarches in Islamabad to convey these concerns to the Pakistani Government on behalf of the EU. During a recent démarche on 23 June 2003 the local troika raised concerns regarding the application of the death penalty, the protection offered to religious minorities and discrimination against women.
The EU Presidency plays an important role in fostering a constructive relationship with Pakistan in which positive developments with regard to human rights can be encouraged. As a member of the troika, Ireland participated in an EU ministerial mission to Islamabad this week. The meeting focused on EU-Pakistan relations, security building in Afghanistan, terrorism and relations with India. The discussion of democratisation and human rights in Pakistan was a core element of the mission.
During our forthcoming Presidency of the EU we, with our EU partners, will continue to closely monitor events in Pakistan and press for the fullest observance of human rights, including the need for a full return to democracy and the promotion of human rights.