Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 March 2018
73. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Irish embassy due to open in Colombia will be active in addressing human rights issues there; and if it will address the concerns of the communities along the Choco River in particular. [14052/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision to open an Irish embassy in Colombia, which was announced last October, is an important next step in expanding Ireland’s footprint in Latin America. It represents a very positive development in Ireland-Colombia relations. While the embassy will seek to develop all aspects of the bilateral relationship, Ireland has made a particular commitment to supporting the peace process and, as a consequence, is very engaged on human rights issues in Colombia. This includes exchanges with the Colombian authorities at Government level and regular engagement with human rights defenders and civil society leaders active in Colombia. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with human rights defenders from Colombia as recently as last week, and met with those working on human rights issues in the Department of Choco in early February 2018. Since 2014, Ireland has provided funding directly to the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights in Colombia (OHCHR) to support its vital work in promoting and protecting human rights, including in some of Colombia’s most isolated and challenging regions, including Choco.
Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in our Embassy in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia, maintain regular engagement with the EU Delegation in Bogotá, which has led on a number of visits to the Choco region, including a high level visit by EU Special Envoy to the Colombian Peace Process, Eamon Gilmore. Ireland is a founder member and one of the largest contributors to the EU Trust Fund for Colombia. We have committed to providing €3 million in funding over the lifetime of the Fund, one of the aims of which is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples and afro-descendants.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to supporting peace and human rights in Colombia. Having a permanent diplomatic presence on the ground in Colombia, working with the Colombian authorities and with our EU partners, will greatly enhance our ability to meet that commitment.
