Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which human right abuses across the globe in war zones or elsewhere continue to be an issue at United Nations level; if the top 20 offenders in this regard are likely to be recipients of action from the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe promotion and protection of human rights is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland and consequently we are a strong contributor to strengthening efforts by the United Nations to eliminate human rights violations, particularly at the UN Human Rights Council and through our membership of the UN Security Council.
As stated previously in my replies, the human rights situation in any particular country is unique in its character, scale and complexity, and a universally agreed global ranking does not exist.
The Human Rights Council has a primary role within the United Nations system to promote and protect human rights globally and to address situations of human rights violations. In 2021 the Human Rights Council, in addition to its three regular schedule of meetings, also held five special sessions to address urgent crises in: Myanmar; the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and Israel; Afghanistan; Sudan; and Ethiopia. The current 49th session of the Human Rights Council included an urgent debate on the Russian invasion of Ukraine before adopting a resolution to establish a commission to investigate violations of human rights.
Likewise, Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council provides an important opportunity to advance our foreign policy priorities, including the promotion and protection of human rights across many of the countries featuring o the Council’s agenda.
At European Union (EU) level, Ireland is an active participant and contributor to the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which works 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, which strengthens the EU’s ability to take collective action against perpetrators of human rights violations.
As always, I will be pleased to provide further detail in relation to individual countries of specific concern.
