International Agreements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Ceisteanna (96, 97)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

138 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in relation to the upcoming EU-Colombia trade agreement, if he has considered the human rights abuses existing in Colombia such as the expelling of indigenous persons from their land and the granting of land titles to foreign national companies; if an FTA will address human rights concerns in Colombia by not legitimising or facilitating the dispossession of peasants, farmers and communities from their land by forcing Colombia to establish a land registry and proper protocol for judicial processes which fairly represent peasants, farmers and communities; if Colombia’s natural resources will be protected and monitored as part of the FTA and if it will ensure that there will not be a maximising of resource exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11415/12]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

139 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the EU plans to meet with President Santos of Colombia in relation to human rights abuses such as the ongoing impunity of trade unionists before further negotiations on the FTA deal commence; if he has taken into consideration the fact that previous FTA agreements between Colombia and the US, Canada and the EFTA group of countries had been delayed due to human rights concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11416/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.

As I have stated on previous occasions in this House, it remains the opinion of the Government that dialogue with the Government of Colombia, bilaterally and with our EU partners, offers the best way to further the objectives of supporting democracy and improving the human rights situation there. I am aware of and share the concerns which have been expressed over human rights in Colombia, in particular the vulnerable position of trade unionists and human rights activists, as well as the very large number of Colombian people who were displaced (between two and three million) over the course of decades of conflict and terrorism. It is for this reason that Ireland attached such importance to the human rights dimensions of the EU Free Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru during its negotiation, and will ensure that these are fully implemented when the Agreement enters into force.

I met the Vice-President of Colombia, Angelino Garzón when he visited Ireland last month, on 24 January. I conveyed the ongoing concerns of the Government of Ireland at reports of human rights abuses in Colombia. Vice-President Garzón noted his Government's determination to address human rights abuses in Colombia. The Victims' Rights and Land Restitution legislation (2011), which builds on the Justice and Peace Laws (2005) constitutes a crucial step in the efforts to push forward the peace process, and will, if fully implemented, provide reparation for more than four million victims of the long-standing armed conflict in the country.

Ireland will continue to support the efforts of the Colombian government via our embassy at Mexico City, and with our partners in the European Union.