Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 March 2018
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which through the EU and UN, he and his colleagues therein continue to monitor and address issues of human rights, war, famine, ethnic cleansing and genocide; the areas of most concern in this regard; the action taken or pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdvancing human rights is one of the signature aspects of Ireland’s foreign policy. Accordingly, Ireland is committed to strengthening regional and international multilateral human rights frameworks and has consistently made positive contributions to various regional and international human rights fora. In line with this strong history of multilateral engagement, Ireland continues to actively monitor and make interventions in relevant EU and UN fora in relation to the factors driving humanitarian crises and human suffering around the world. Through these fora, Ireland advocates for the protection of and assistance to those in humanitarian crisis situations around the globe. Humanitarian crises are complex in nature, frequently resulting in significant displacement, food insecurity, rising malnutrition levels, and serious concerns for the protection of civilians. Such crises require a coordinated response from the international community and, to this end, Ireland engages closely with our UN, EU, Red Cross and other partners. In 2016, over 75% of our humanitarian funding was provided through the UN and EU, with a similar amount in 2017. This coordinated response better enables us to reach those in urgent need of assistance and to ensure the protection of those who are most vulnerable.
Currently, some 80% of humanitarian crises across the globe are conflict-related. The fact that there are more people in need today than at any time since World War Two is due not just to the existence of the conflicts themselves, but to violations by parties to these conflicts of international law, particularly respect for international human rights and humanitarian law.
On this basis, Ireland not only responds quickly to provide humanitarian assistance where it is needed most; we also advocate at EU and UN levels to for full accountability where there have been breaches of international law, which deeply affect vulnerable people.
