Written Answers Nos. 66 - 75
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to monitor the situation regarding alleged human rights abuses in Iran; the progress that has been made to date on such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50467/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community continues to monitor the persecution of academics in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50469/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 68 together.
The human rights situation in Iran is profoundly disturbing, and the period since the Presidential election of 2009 has been characterised by an intensification of human rights abuses on many fronts. Although it is difficult to gain reliable statistics and information on human rights abuses in Iran, there are a number of reputable and thorough sources and reports, such as the reports of the UN Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, through which governments can monitor the human rights situation in Iran. It is clear from these sources that the deterioration of the human rights situation in Iran continues to be a grave concern.
The Iranian authorities continue to deny civil and political rights in Iran, including in relation to freedom of expression and assembly, arbitrary arrest, and torture and other cruel treatment in detention. This highly targeted repression has been particularly stringent against not only academics but also members of Iran’s religious and ethnic minorities, political activists, journalists and bloggers, human rights defenders and members of the legal profession in Iran who represent clients detained by the authorities. These actions are in clear violation of Iran's international obligations under the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, of which Iran is a signatory. I would also condemn the ongoing detention under house arrest of the two leading opposition politicians, Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who contested the 2009 presidential election against President Ahmadinejad.
Ireland will co-sponsor a General Assembly resolution, due to be voted on later this month, expressing the international community’s deep concern at the human rights situation in Iran, and calling upon the Government of Iran to take a number of specific and urgent steps to improve the situation, including ending the harassment, intimidation and persecution of among others students and academics. The Resolution also calls upon the Government of Iran to provide unfettered access for the Special Rapporteur to carry out his mandate. On March 22 this year, Ireland co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council’s Resolution on Iran, which welcomed the report and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and expressed serious concern at the developments noted in that report, as well as the lack of access permitted to the Special Rapporteur.
The EU has also repeatedly raised human rights issues in contacts with the Iranian authorities and adopted a travel ban and asset freeze against those responsible for grave human rights violations in April last year, further extended to additional persons last October. This sends an important political signal to those in the judicial system and elsewhere in the Iranian regime who perpetrate human rights abuses. I fully support the strong Conclusions on human rights in Iran issued by the Foreign Affairs Council in October last year. Ireland will continue to be active at EU level in pressing for stronger EU action in relation to the human rights situation in Iran.
At a bilateral level, my Department engages in ongoing dialogue with the Iranian Ambassador and his Embassy on these issues. My officials regularly hold meetings with the Ambassador to convey our grave concerns at the human rights situation in Iran. Ireland will continue to raise human rights in Iran, bilaterally and at the EU and UN, at all appropriate occasions.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to galvanise support for the alleviation of starvation, strife and famine in the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50468/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne year on from the devastating famine and food crisis which killed tens of thousands of people across the Horn of Africa, the humanitarian situation across much of the region remains extremely fragile. While a huge relief effort, followed by good rains last autumn, saved hundreds of thousands of lives, the crisis forced many more from their homes, devastated their livelihoods and left them vulnerable to future hunger shocks. In many areas, the tentative progress made thus far risks being undermined by further external shocks, such as another poor rainy season or a later than usual harvest.
Gripped by drought and racked by conflict for over twenty years, Somalia was the epicentre of last year’s crisis and in late 2012, remains by far the worst-affected country in the region. The Tánaiste’s visit to Mogadishu this summer, one of very few by senior international politicians in recent times, brought into sharp focus the continuing and critical nature of the humanitarian situation. The Tánaiste highlighted the need for sustained and properly targeted assistance to what remains, recent media attention notwithstanding, one of the world’s most significant ‘forgotten emergencies’. The visit also underlined Ireland’s commitment to continuing to support progress towards peace and stability in Somalia and to supporting development and resilience-focused programmes, whilst continuing to meet humanitarian needs. Indeed, and as the Tánaiste underlined in his own recent speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, the visit reinforced the Government’s ongoing determination to work closely with our partners in the UN at EU level to highlight forgotten crises and the needs of fragile states, such as Somalia.
In terms of direct humanitarian funding and assistance to date in 2012, Ireland has provided just under €6 million in emergency funding to address the humanitarian needs caused by the ongoing insecurity and food crisis in Somalia. Elsewhere in the Horn of Africa, Ireland has provided a further €1.3 million in humanitarian assistance to partners operating in Ethiopia as well as some €900,000 in support for agencies providing direct relief to drought-affected communities in Kenya.
In addition to this humanitarian assistance, Ireland also maintains a major bilateral development programme with Ethiopia, one of the countries most affected by last year’s crisis and where chronic food insecurity remains a major issue. This is the rationale behind Ireland’s ongoing support for the Productive Safety Nets Programme, which provides money or food to some of the poorest people in that country, in return for participation in a public works scheme which benefits local communities. Building on lessons learned from Ireland’s ongoing support for this and other similar initiatives, the Government will, in the months and years to come, continue to increase its focus on helping people to become more self-reliant and less dependent on humanitarian aid.
Finally at international level, the Government remains actively involved in pushing for humanitarian and relief efforts in the Horn to be closely tied to work to build the resilience of vulnerable communities across the region. We will continue to champion these efforts in the context of our forthcoming EU Presidency in the first half of 2013.
69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which any progress has been made in the matter of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50470/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am hopeful that the outcome of last week’s US Presidential election will advance the prospects for the necessary reform of US immigration systems and procedures that would help improve the situation of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States. Much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what such reform might comprise. Through our Embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, our contacts with the US Administration and Congress will intensify even further over the coming weeks and months with a view to ensuring that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are fully reflected in any future legislative deal that emerges in this area. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish migrants in the US will also continue to be pursued by myself and the Taoiseach at every suitable opportunity.
70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in Sudan and neighbouring jurisdictions continues to be monitored by the international community; the extent to which this has had a positive bearing on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50471/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation in Sudan and South Sudan continues to be a matter of major concern for Ireland and our EU partners. The EU is working closely with the wider international community, including within the United Nations and with the African Union and neighbouring countries in the region, to exert pressure on the Governments in Khartoum and Juba. We are pressing them to implement fully the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement concluded in advance of South Sudan’s independence and to resolve outstanding issues through peaceful and inclusive dialogue.
There have been some positive developments in recent weeks, notably the conclusion of nine agreements between Sudan and South Sudan on 27 September following a prolonged Summit meeting between Presidents Bashir and Kiir in Addis Ababa. These agreements cover oil revenue distribution and other important economic and security matters. However, a number of unresolved issues remain, and, if not addressed, they have the potential to lead to renewed conflict. Ireland and the EU fully support the work of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel, led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, which is leading international mediation efforts in the region, guided by the terms of UN Security Council Resolutions. The Panel has made proposals for ways to resolve remaining disputed issues between the two countries, notably on the status of the Abyei region, and the EU is calling upon the two Governments to engage in a constructive process to reach agreement on these outstanding issues.
A very serious concern is the continuing conflict in the regions of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile where there has been a serious humanitarian crisis. We are calling for all parties to fulfil their obligations under international humanitarian law in terms of protecting civilians and allowing humanitarian access for aid agencies and workers. We are also calling for negotiations between the combatants to resolve outstanding political and security issues.
71. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in his role as chairman in office of the OSCE if he will outline the rationale behind his decision to appoint Walburga Hapsburg Douglas as head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation to the Ukrainian Electoral Observation Mission with special responsibility to lead the short term observation mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50472/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra72. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the appointment of Walburga Hapsburg Douglas to lead the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation to the Ukrainian Electoral Observation Mission is a new departure in election monitoring; if he will outline the status of Walburga Hapsburg Douglas vis-à-vis the role of Ambassador Audrey Glover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50473/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the person who instructed or took the decision which lead to the visit by the head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Walburga Hapsburg Douglas to visit the leader of the Ukrainian opposition in prison; if he will confirm if this visit was supported by the OSCE/ODIHR core team which is led by Ambassador Audrey Glover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50474/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the name of the official who is spokesperson for the OSCE Election Observation Mission in the Ukraine; if he will confirm if it is Ambassador Audrey Glover or Walburga Hapsburg Douglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50475/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra75. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 45 out of 67 OSCE/ODIHR Electoral Observation Mission LTO teams monitoring the Ukrainian election found that the campaign environment was fair overall and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that polling and counting of votes was also deemed to be overwhelmingly fair and transparent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50476/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in his role as chairman in office of the OSCE, his attention has been drawn to the various diverse positions being taken by international bodies in relation to the Ukrainian parliamentary elections; if his attention has further been drawn to the findings of the European Academy of Electoral Observation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50477/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 to 76, inclusive, together.
Election observation has been a key component of the work of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) since 1990, when the Office for Free Elections was established by the Paris Summit of the CSCE – the OSCE’s predecessor. The Office for Free Elections was renamed as the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in 1992 and ODIHR’s role in comprehensive election monitoring has been enhanced over the years, notably at the Istanbul Summit in 1999.
In 1997, a Cooperation Agreement on election activities was concluded between the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), reflecting a desire to avoid overlap, redundancy, unnecessary expense and confusion between the two OSCE institutions. The 1997 Cooperation Agreement provides inter alia for exchange of information, participation by the Parliamentary Assembly in Needs Assessment Missions, common briefings and de-briefings and logistical support to Parliamentary Assembly short-term observers. In accordance with the Cooperation Agreement, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office may designate a political figure as a Special Coordinator to lead the short-term OSCE observer mission. This political figure should normally be the President of the PA or an OSCE PA senior official recommended by the PA in consultation with the Chairman-in-Office. Among the key duties of the Special Coordinator is to deliver the preliminary post-election statement, in conjunction with other relevant figures.
The Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions is normally issued at a press conference on the day after an election, and is based on the work of the entire Election Observation Mission (EOM), including both the long-term and short-term observation components. While the OSCE PA has reserved the right to issue its own independent statement after elections, the usual practice in recent years has been for joint statements, reflecting not only the views of ODIHR and the OSCE PA but often including other election observation bodies, such as the European Parliament (EP), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) or the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA).
At the request of the Ukrainian Government, an OSCE/ODIHR EOM was deployed to observe the Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine, which took place on 28 October 2012. The EOM opened in Kiev on 12 September, led by Ambassador Audrey Glover of the United Kingdom. It consisted of a 20-member core team of experts from 14 OSCE participating States, 90 long-term observers and 600 short-term observers requested from OSCE participating States.
On 10 August 2012, in line with the Cooperation Agreement and at the request of the President of the OSCE PA, I appointed Ms Walburga Habsburg Douglas of Sweden, Vice President of the OSCE PA and Head of the OSCE PA delegation, as Special Coordinator. Her function, as indicated above, was to lead the short-term OSCE observer mission and deliver the Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions. The appointment of a Special Coordinator was in line with the practice for all other EOMs during the Irish Chairmanship of the OSCE, and recent practice during previous Chairmanships.
The Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions issued on 29 October found that the Ukrainian parliamentary elections were characterised by a lack of a level playing field and that certain aspects of the pre-election period constituted a step backwards compared with recent national elections. The campaign environment was assessed as not fair overall by 22 of the 45 OSCE/ODIHR EOM long-term observer teams. While election-day was assessed to be calm and peaceful overall, and voting and counting were assessed mostly positively, the tabulation process was assessed negatively, as it lacked transparency. In the Post-Election Interim Report issued by ODIHR on 9 November, it is reported that tabulation was negatively assessed in 77 of the 161 District Election Commissions (DECs) and that approximately 25 DECs observed in the days after the election experienced serious problems with tabulation due to irregularities and other issues. The OSCE/ODIHR is expected to issue a comprehensive final report, including recommendations for potential improvements, in the coming weeks.
The 14-page Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions was agreed by the OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE PA, the EP, PACE and the NATO PA, the result of a common endeavour involving 802 observers from 42 countries, observing at 2,521 polling stations. I note that many other bodies also deployed smaller teams to observe the elections, including the European Academy for Election Observation (EAEO). While I am unable to comment on the individual assessments made by other organisations or their methodology, I can confirm that I have the fullest confidence in the election observation methodology used by OSCE/ODIHR, which is widely recognised as the gold standard in election observation activities and is consistent with the UN Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the related Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.
As regards the attempt by Ms Walburga Habsburg Douglas to visit Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of a political party which gained significant representation in the recent elections, this was a decision in which the Irish Chairmanship was not involved. Nevertheless, following the refusal to grant access to Ms Tymoshenko, I was in contact with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kostyantyn Hryshchenko, to outline my concern at the cancellation of visiting rights. I am not aware of any involvement by Ambassador Glover or the OSCE/ODIHR Core Team in the attempt to visit Ms Tymoshenko.
