Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2011
42 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the arrests of candidates, journalists and human rights activists in the wake of the presidential election in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2876/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra51 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he and his colleagues in the EU will take to commence whatever action can be taken to deal with the serious situation evolving in Belarus where those supporting democracy are being jailed without trial and where actions are being taken to prevent the free reporting of information and the hacking of independent websites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2844/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 51 together.
Ireland strongly condemns the violence and widespread arrests which followed the presidential election in Belarus on 19 December 2010. In particular we condemn the disproportionate use of force against presidential candidates, political activists, representatives of civil society and journalists. We also call for the release of presidential candidates and demonstrators taken into custody in the wake of the election.
In its preliminary findings on the conduct of the presidential election, the OSCE-led international election observation mission (which included seven Irish observers) reported serious problems with the electoral process and the vote count. The election and its aftermath clearly represents a step backwards from the hoped for development of democratic governance and respect for human rights in Belarus.
Evolving events in Belarus are being followed closely by the EU and our representatives are working on a package of measures. Ireland has argued for a firm and swift response by the EU. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, met with representatives of the Belarusian opposition and civil society in Brussels on 12 January. The High Representative underlined the EU's solidarity with and support for those detained on political grounds and their families in the aftermath of the election.
The High Representative also met with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov in Brussels on 12 January. She reiterated the EU's condemnation of the violent crack-down against demonstrators, widespread arrests and harassment of civil society representatives in the aftermath of the election. She insisted on the immediate release of those detained on political grounds and on an immediate end to the persecution of opposition, democratic forces and representatives of civil society. She also informed Minister Martynov that the EU was looking into appropriate measures in response to the post-election events, with a view to decisions to be taken at the Foreign Affairs Council of 31 January 2011.
The EU has always made it clear that it is ready to engage positively with Belarus. However, this policy is conditional on respect for the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Without substantial progress in these areas, relations cannot improve. At the same time, I believe it is also important — perhaps now more than ever — that the EU continues reach out to civil society in Belarus. Ireland has developed a close relationship with the people of Belarus over the last two decades, particularly through the important work of NGOs. This is a relationship that we have grown to value. Ireland will continue to reach out and engage with the people of Belarus to support the emergence of an open and democratic society.
43 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he and European Union Ministers have been briefed on the results of the election monitoring teams’ reports on the recent presidential elections in Cote D’Ivoire; and his views on recent statements of concern relating to that portion of the vote derived from cities in France. [2857/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra50 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on recent reports that political instability in Cote d’Ivoire and the flight of refugees which may number in the first instance as many as 18,000 according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, may impact on stability in neighbouring Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2868/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 50 together.
The first round of Presidential elections was held in Cote d'Ivoire on 31 October 2010, after having been initially scheduled for 2005. With no outright winner, a second round was held on 28 November, in which President Laurent Gbagbo faced opposition leader Alassane Ouattara. Both rounds of the election were observed by an EU electoral observation mission. In advance of the second round, there was serious tension, and some violence, but the voting situation was considered to be regular in the majority of those stations observed by the EU. It should be borne in mind of course that the EU mission was only in a position to observe polling at a limited number of polling stations, and that EU and local observers as well as others, did observe some instances of intimidation and irregularities.
On 2 December the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) released results of the election, declaring Mr Ouattara the winner. However, the President of the Constitutional Council declared that the results were null and void, on the basis that the IEC had exceeded its time limit for a declaration of the result, and citing irregularities in Mr. Ouattara's northern base where it cancelled returns from four regions. The Constitutional Council then declared President Gbagbo the winner.
The European Union, African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations and US have all formally recognised Ouattara as the duly elected President after the announcement by the IEC. After Gbagbo was sworn in, ECOWAS suspended Cote d'Ivoire from the group and the AU suspended Côte d'Ivoire from all AU activities. On 18 December, Gbagbo ordered all UN peacekeepers to leave the country. However, the UN refused, and the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Côte d'Ivoire until June 30, 2011. African mediation teams, from ECOWAS and the AU, have visited Cote d'Ivoire and have been in negotiations with President Gbagbo but without visible result so far.
On 22nd December the EU agreed to impose travel restrictions and an asset freeze on a number of people in Cote d'Ivoire who were identified as obstructing the process of peace and national reconciliation, and in particular those jeopardising the proper outcome of the electoral process. Since then the list has been expanded.
With regard to the humanitarian situation, the UN warned last week that the humanitarian consequences of the violence in Côte d'Ivoire will rapidly worsen if the political crisis is not urgently resolved. Over 23,500 Ivorians have already fled to neighbouring countries over the past five weeks, the vast majority to Liberia, amid growing fear and insecurity. At least 17,500 others are internally displaced in the west of Cote D'Ivoire, the majority of them women and school-age children. In Liberia, the Government is working closely with UN agencies and NGO partners but Liberia's capacity to respond to the influx of refugees is limited
The situation has not thus far impacted negatively on the stability of Liberia. However, Ireland together with our EU partners, is continuing to monitor the situation on the ground both in the Cote D'Ivoire and neighbouring countries such as Liberia where many of those affected have fled. UN agencies are already able to draw on funds which we provide every year to the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund, a pool of funding that is held within the UN and can be released within hours of an emergency. We will examine the possibility of providing additional direct support to agencies operating with those displaced by the unrest should this prove necessary.
The EU also supports African leadership on this issue and strongly supports a peaceful resolution to the situation, where the will of the people as expressed in the election is respected, without further injuries or loss of life.
