Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
45. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on Ireland's contribution to attempting to halt the atrocities continuing to be committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar; the aid Ireland is providing to these refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12498/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the months since military security operations began in Rakhine State, Myanmar in August 2017, more than 680,000 refugees, mostly Rohingya, have fled to Bangladesh resulting in a large scale humanitarian crisis. The exodus of refugees has been accompanied by credible claims of serious human rights violations by the Myanmar Security Forces. These include reports of widespread killing of civilians, sexual and gender based violence, arbitrary arrests, and the burning of Rohingya villages.
Since the most recent escalation of violence last year, Ireland has sought to deploy political pressure with the aim of easing the crisis. This has been done both through bilateral contacts in Myanmar and via participation in the EU and UN responses. We have consistently called for an end to the violence in Rakhine State, for the respect of international human rights law and for the restoration of humanitarian access and humanitarian aid to the region, with safety assured for those who provide it.
Ireland has also called for an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of human rights violations by the Myanmar security forces. We have supported the establishment and extension of the mandate of the UN Fact Finding Mission, and have asked the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with this team. We have also expressed support for the UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar Yanghee Lee and have called on Myanmar to allow her access to the country.
Ireland has actively engaged in the formation of the EU’s position including in the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council’s Council Conclusions on Myanmar, which were adopted on 26 February last. These conclusions condemn the human rights violations in Myanmar, and call for the implementation of the findings of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State. The conclusions also invite High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini to make proposals for targeted restrictive measures against senior military officers of the Myanmar armed forces responsible for serious human rights violations. I would like to express my support of these conclusions and hope that they will send a clear message to those in military control in Myanmar.
Most recently, Minister of State Cannon addressed the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 27 February where he outlined Ireland’s ongoing concerns at the situation in Myanmar and reiterated our support for the work of the Fact Finding Mission and Special Rapporteur Lee.
Minister of State Cannon met with Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Kyaw Tin at the Asia Europe (ASEM) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Myanmar in November last, where he had the opportunity to raise Ireland’s concerns directly with the Myanmar Government.
Ireland and the international community are also continuing to support the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis. In October 2017, the EU hosted a Pledging Conference on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Geneva where Ireland pledged €2 million in direct support. We provided €1 million 2017, and an additional €1 million has been allocated for 2018. In addition, Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps have provided humanitarian expertise to the international response.
My Department will continue to liaise closely with EU and other international partners to contribute to the international response to this issue including through our Embassy in Thailand who are closely monitoring the situation.
