Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to highlight and confront the issue of human rights abuses world-wide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27060/03]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.
Human rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Governments and central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources including non-governmental organisations. Where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns about human rights violations to the Governments in question, either directly or through action at the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights. At these bodies, the EU regularly makes statements on the human rights situation in various countries. Ireland is fully associated with these statements. The EU also introduces or supports resolutions dealing with specific countries.
Active participation in multilateral organisations such as the EU, UN and the Council of Europe provides an occasion where Ireland can voice its concerns regarding human rights abuses. Through these organisations, international pressure can be brought to bear on those responsible for violation of human rights.
The EU has also adopted common positions on certain countries an integral part of which attaches priority to promoting human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law. In addition the EU conducts human rights dialogues with a number of countries.
The Government will continue to use these mechanisms as a means of highlighting violations of human rights and furthering their protection.