Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2017
111. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to make his views known to the Saudi Arabian authorities in view of the human rights violations being committed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen and his acknowledgement of same; and if continued trade with Ireland is dependent on the cessation of such violations of the human rights of the citizens of Yemen by Saudi Arabia. [53036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain extremely concerned about the current situation in Yemen, as the humanitarian situation has reached crisis point. The war is now in its third year, the political process has stalled, and the fighting is having devastating consequences for civilians, with credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian law. Yemen is also facing the world’s fastest-growing cholera epidemic. The recent death of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh has led to a deterioration in the situation and an escalation in violence in parts of Yemen, particularly near the capital, Sana’a. The humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen has been exacerbated by the ongoing brutal conflict. In addition to the loss of life, infrastructure has been destroyed, cutting off much of the population from food and other supplies.
Ireland has close economic ties with Saudi Arabia, and this relationship has considerable benefits for the Irish economy. However, this partnership does not prevent us from raising our concerns in the appropriate channels. Over the past twelve months, my predecessor, Minister Flanagan, has raised concerns about the appalling humanitarian situation in Yemen, and about attacks which have directly impacted on civilians, with Saudi Arabia and with UAE at Ministerial level.
More recently, officials from my Department met with the Saudi Embassy in Dublin last month, and they passed on my concerns in relation to human rights violations and humanitarian access, and re-stated Ireland’s view that there can be no military solution to the crisis in Yemen. In the past few days, the Embassy of Ireland in Saudi Arabia has also conveyed to the Government of Yemen that the reopening of Yemeni ports, including Hodeida particularly, for both humanitarian and commercial traffic, is essential to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.
I am committed to taking action where possible, through the UN system. At the Human Rights Council in September 2017, I decided that Ireland should join a small core group of countries that drove forward the adoption of a Resolution on Yemen. This Resolution establishes a group of international experts, who will establish the facts in relation to violations of human rights and humanitarian law on the ground. This group will report back to the Human Rights Council, as an important step towards accountability in Yemen.
Ireland will continue to press for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Yemen, respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, and improved humanitarian access to those in need. We fully support the efforts of UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed to work towards a peace agreement. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 11 December, I urged stronger action by the EU in relation to the barriers to humanitarian access in Yemen. I will continue to raise my concerns about the situation in Yemen with the Saudi authorities, as well as with other parties, and at EU and international levels, whenever opportunities arise.
