Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019
52. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community remains focused on the various flashpoints globally that are affected by war, starvation, ethnic cleansing and genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9998/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Ireland’s foreign policy we are working to alleviate instances of war, starvation, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses, and to enhance international peace and security. We do this in direct contact with other countries or multilaterally through our involvement in global and regional organisations, including the EU and the UN.
Together with our EU and UN partners, and through our Embassies on the ground, we will continue to closely monitor crises across the globe, supporting political efforts to resolve conflicts, end ethnic violence and human rights abuses, providing humanitarian relief and targeting our overseas assistance to communities most in need. Working through global organisations such as the United Nations or regional bodies such as the EU or the Organisation for Security Cooperation in Europe, the international community is able to bring positive influence to bear in the search for political solutions to conflict situations around the world.
Supporting and sustaining peacebuilding efforts has been long been a key element of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland promotes international peace and security by supporting the work programmes of multilateral, regional organisations and leading civil society organisations in this field. In 2018, the Department provided approximately €6.7 million euro to 34 organisations working on peace and security projects across the globe. Many of these partners have significant peace and security programmes in Africa, for example, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue works to bring women into peace discussions, Conciliation Resources works to involve local communities in peacebuilding activities in the Horn of Africa. In addition the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade is a donor to the UN’s Peacebuilding Fund and the Mediation Support Unit.
Meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council provide regular opportunities at which to consider issues as such the below mentioned and to shape the responses of the EU and the wider international community to them. The EU has adopted Common Positions on certain countries, which attach priority to promoting human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
Human rights concerns are central to Ireland’s foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, Ireland closely monitors the human rights situations in many countries, where increased human rights violations are often a first step on a trajectory to mass atrocity crimes. We do this on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources, including both official channels and non-governmental/civil society organisations. Where and when the situation warrants, we make known our concerns about human rights violations to the Governments in question. Ireland supports the use of the full multilateral human rights machinery in responding to human rights abuses including in the EU, UN and the Council of Europe. This includes support for the role of UN Human Rights Treaty Monitoring Bodies, Special Procedures Mandate Holders and for the convening, where appropriate, of Special Sessions of the UN Human Rights Council. At the UN, the EU regularly makes statements on the human rights situations in individual countries and Ireland is, of course, fully associated with these statements.
Ireland and its EU partners are strong and consistent supporters of the International Criminal Court. By its very existence, the Court promotes and upholds not only the rule of law but also provides a means to bring to account the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community and in this way contributes in a most fundamental way to the cause of international peace and justice. The establishment of a number of international courts and tribunals in recent years to deal with situations where the most serious crimes of concern to the international community have been committed represents a recognition on the part of the international community that such courts and tribunals are an essential means of ending a culture of impunity and of ensuring respect for international law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Conflict is also the most significant driver of humanitarian need. The UN estimate that over 134 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance around the world, while over 60 million people are displaced.
Ireland works closely with partners around the world to address these needs. We are committed to the UN system, and have a strong relationship with the UN's Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs, which leads and coordinates humanitarian response efforts in the most severe crises. In 2018 Ireland assumed the Chair of OCHA's Donor Support Group, and in this role we discuss with OCHA and other major donors the response to these humanitarian crises.
Humanitarian needs have never been greater, with the UN estimating total global requirements at almost $22 billion. Ireland is a committed humanitarian donor, and in 2017 provided over €180 million in humanitarian assistance. This money was used to fund partners, including the UN, International Red Cross Movement, and NGOs, to provide life saving assistance to this in greatest need.
