Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
389. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the human rights violations that he has raised with the EU and UN since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38046/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s membership of the United Nations and the European Union is central to our foreign policy and to our continued efforts to highlight and eliminate human rights violations.
Through our membership of the United Nations Security Council, we are committed to actively mainstreaming human rights across the full Council agenda, which includes some 20 thematic files and 30 country and regional files. Many of the countries on the Security Council agenda face serious human rights challenges, while UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions play an essential role in protecting civilians and promoting respect for human rights.
To date, this month alone, Ireland has highlighted human rights concerns in meetings on Ethiopia (Tigray), the Democratic Republic of Congo, as co-penholder in relation to the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, and crucially as co-penholder on negotiations to extend the mandate for the critical cross-border delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria.
At the 47th session of the Human Rights Council which concludes this week, Ireland again led on negotiating a resolution to protect civil society space, while also delivering national statements on a number of country-specific human rights situations including Belarus, the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Myanmar, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Ukraine. Ireland also delivered statements on a number of thematic human rights issues including violence against women, human trafficking, the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
At EU level, Ireland is an active participant in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, working globally to support the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security. Human Rights issues feature prominently at the meetings I attend at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. In addition, my officials engage extensively on human rights issues at the relevant Council-level working parties including on the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. Ireland’s Embassies also engage actively in EU led Human Rights dialogues and through financial support from Irish Aid in relevant countries.
