I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 30 together.
As stated in this House and elsewhere, I remain extremely concerned about the situation in Yemen, the suffering of civilians there, and the humanitarian crisis which the war has triggered. Yemen is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over twenty million people in need of assistance due to drought and the disruptions of war. Three years of war have had devastating consequences for civilians, with allegations of violations of human rights, international humanitarian law, and significant loss of life.
I, and officials in my Department, have been monitoring the state of affairs in Yemen with growing anxiety, particularly in recent weeks as multiple reports of attacks affecting civilians have circulated. I remain deeply concerned by the level of violence in Yemen, and by reports of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. I condemn in the strongest terms all actions which endanger civilians, including those attacks referenced by the Deputies.
Officials from my Department regularly convey to the Saudi Embassy in Dublin my strong concerns in relation to the situation in Yemen, and the impact the fighting is having on civilians. They also conveyed my condemnation of missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, which also have the potential to impact on civilians. My officials have also raised my concerns about civilians in Yemen with the Embassy of Iran.
Ireland has also been to the fore in raising human rights issues in Yemen at the Human Rights Council (HRC). In Ireland’s most recent Item 4 Statement (human rights situations that require the Council’s attention) at the HRC session in September 2018, we expressed our particular concerns about “the ongoing reports of attacks resulting in civilian casualties, and allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.”
Ireland has also supported the establishment of the establishing a Group of Eminent Experts (GEE) whose mandate is to carry out investigations into all alleged violations of human rights in Yemen. Last week, Ireland once again worked with a core group of countries at the HRC to bring forward a resolution to extend the mandate of this group, in order to allow more time for its work.
I remain convinced that for a small country such as Ireland, raising issues of concern in multilateral fora can be the most effective way to multiply our influence. I have participated actively in discussions at EU level on this issue. There have also been EU contacts with Saudi Arabia in relation to concerns about civilians in Yemen. My officials and I will continue to raise our concerns about the situation in Yemen in EU, UN and other international contexts, whenever opportunities arise.
On the problems posed by arms transfers to conflict regions, Ireland’s efforts are concentrated on universalisation and implementation of the 2014 Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), which has been signed and ratified by all EU Member States. The ATT is the first legally binding instrument to regulate the international trade in conventional weapons. States which sign up to the Treaty are prohibited from exporting arms to countries if they know those weapons will be used to commit gross violations of human rights. In addition, the EU’s Common Position on Arms Exports contains 8 risk assessment criteria that all EU countries must apply to their licensing decisions for exports of military goods. At present, there is no consensus at EU level on an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia.
Ireland has provided €15.5 million in bilateral humanitarian assistance to Yemen since the conflict began in 2015. Of this, €4 million was contributed this year alone. Ireland also provides global funding to a number of organisations which are particularly active in Yemen including the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
I would like to assure the Deputies that Ireland will continue to take every appropriate opportunity to urge stronger international action, and will press for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Yemen, as well as respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, and improved humanitarian access.
