Written Answers Nos. 321-330
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which Ireland continues to highlight at international level the atrocities carried out against the people of Ukraine by Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33537/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe further invasion of Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, commencing on 24 February 2022, is a gross violation of international law.
There have been many reports of shocking acts perpetrated by the invading Russian forces in Ukraine.
On 19 April, I de-briefed the UN Security Council following my visit to Ukraine and bore witness in the Council Chamber to what I had seen with my own eyes, focusing in particular on the town of Bucha. I described hundreds of family homes, shops and other civilian infrastructure: blackened, burnt, looted, damaged, and- in some cases – completely destroyed. I described how I stood at the edge of one of the mass graves, where the work of carefully exhuming bodies continued. 503 civilians had been identified at that stage - and just 4 soldiers.
Ireland, and our EU partners, are clear on the need for international justice mechanisms to assist in delivering accountability. Ireland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is one of over 40 States Parties to have referred the situation in Ukraine to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC for the purposes of investigating claims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Ukraine.
The Prosecutor has now commenced investigation activities in Ukraine which are intended to lead to the prosecution at the ICC of individuals for the commission of crimes under the jurisdiction of the Court.
Another important tool for rapid work on holding Russia accountable has been the use of the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)’s Moscow Mechanism. On 3 March 2022 the Moscow Mechanism was invoked by Ukraine, supported by 45 participating States, including Ireland. Consequently, a Mission of three experts was appointed on 14 March 2022, which delivered its report to Ukraine as the inviting state on 5 April 2022.
The Mission’s mandate was to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of OSCE commitments, and violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. It was also mandated to establish the facts and circumstances of possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity. On 2 June, the Moscow Mechanism was invoked again to build on the report of the first mandate.
Holding Russia accountable for violations of international law must continue to be pursued by the multilateral system. Ireland has been strong and consistent in using its voice internationally to do so.
In line with our core principles for our term on the UN Security Council - Building Peace, Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Ensuring Accountability - Ireland continues to use our membership of the Council to hold Russia accountable, to urge it to end its war in Ukraine immediately, and to call out Russia’s cynical attempts to use the Council and other UN bodies to spread disinformation.
At a meeting of the Security Council on 12 May, Ireland called, in particular, for the protection of children and other civilians. At a meeting of the UN Security Council on 6 June, Ireland also highlighted our deep concern about reports of conflict related sexual violence and crimes of trafficking. On 21 June, at a meeting of the Security Council to discuss the issue of incitement to violence leading to atrocities, Ireland called for respect for international law, the protection of civilians, and for Russian withdrawal from Ukraine.
Ireland continues to actively participate at the Human Rights Council and has repeatedly condemned reports of gross and systematic violations of human rights by Russia. Ireland co-sponsored a Human Rights Council resolution on 4 March establishing an independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate all alleged breaches of human rights and international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of Russia’s invasion, and with our international partners, also supported the UN General Assembly’s decision to suspend Russia’s membership rights from the Human Rights Council on 7 April.
On 16 June, at the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland delivered a strong statement condemning Russia's actions in Mariupol, highlighting the grave humanitarian and human rights consequences of these actions.
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Ukraine application for membership of the European Union can be accelerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33538/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 17 June the European Commission recommended, in a formal opinion, that Ukraine be granted candidate status, on the understanding that certain steps are taken.
Ireland strongly supports the Commission's recommendation and the Taoiseach has stated that he will advocate for its endorsement by the European Council later this week. If endorsed by the European Council at its meeting of 23-24 June, it will place Ukraine on a firm path towards EU membership, where it belongs.
As the Opinion states, the aspiration to belong to the European Union has for many years been an important priority for Ukraine, its governments and citizens. It has been an underlying motive for democratic changes over the past decade and a driver of a number of key reforms founded on European values.
Every sovereign country has a right to determine its own future, free from external pressure and duress. The people of Ukraine have chosen a future in the European Union and they deserve our full support.
Ireland has long advocated for this outcome and I strongly supported Ukraine's EU perspective at Foreign Affairs Council this week. As I re-iterated when I met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in April, Ireland fully supports Ukraine's application for EU membership. We have come together with a group of other Member States, with a view to providing political and practical assistance in support of Ukraine’s European perspective.
The European Commission Opinion will provide an important signal to the people and Government of Ukraine who have stood firm in defence of our shared European values in the face of the Russia's war of aggression against them. It is a message that Europe stands with them now, that we will continue to stand with them in the future, and that we will support the rebuilding of Ukraine.
323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the top ten most serious worldwide locations of human rights abuses at present; the action being taken at international level to combat the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33539/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question and am pleased to refer him to my previous responses to closely related parliamentary questions number [4176/22] (www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-01-27/226/?highlight%5B0%5D=top&highlight%5B1%5D=ten&highlight%5B2%5D=human&highlight%5B3%5D=rights) dated the 27th January 2022 and number [15001/22] (www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2022-03-22/436/) dated the 22nd March 2022.
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. Both at this session, and at all PQ sessions, I will be very pleased to provide further detail where requested in relation to individual countries of specific concern.
Through our bilateral, EU and multilateral engagement, Ireland continues to strongly advocate for the promotion and protect human rights as a key foreign policy priority.
At the current 50th session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland continues to express our concern on human rights issues including in relation to Afghanistan, Belarus, China (Xinjiang), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Myanmar, occupied Palestinian territories, and in light of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position in regard to European Union enlargement; the progress from the point of view of the applicant countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries.
There are currently five recognised candidates for membership of the European Union: Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are recognised as potential candidates by the EU. Bosnia and Herzegovina has formally submitted an application for membership, while Kosovo has a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, and has indicated an intention to submit a formal application for EU membership during 2022. Ukraine applied for membership of the EU on 28 February 2022, while Moldova and Georgia followed suit on 03 March.
Currently, EU relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia are set within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. ‘Association Agreements’ and ‘Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements’ (DCFTAs) are in place with all three aimed at promoting deeper political ties, stronger economic links and ensuring respect for common values. While some progress has been made over the years towards closer integration with the EU, progress on reforms has been slow overall.
Ukraine’s application was discussed at the informal European Council meeting on 10 & 11 March 2022. This resulted in the ‘Versailles Declaration’, which acknowledged the “European aspirations and the European choice of Ukraine”. The European Council also invited the Commission to submit its opinion on all three applications in accordance with the established procedures, while noting that “Ukraine belongs to our European family”.
On 17 June 2022, the Commission presented its Opinions on the EU membership applications submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova as invited by the Council. The Opinions refer to three sets of criteria: political criteria, economic criteria and the ability of each country to assume the obligations of EU membership.
In essence, the Commission has recommended that candidate status now be granted to Ukraine and Moldova, on the understanding that reforms are carried out in a number of areas. It was also recommended that candidate status eventually be granted to Georgia, once a number of priority reforms have been addressed, with the Commission to review progress on all three applicants by the end of 2022.
I welcome the Opinions of the Commission in response to these three applications which align very much with our own public pronouncements and internal analysis over recent months. The Taoiseach has already made clear that Ireland wishes to see this week’s European Council grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate status. Ireland further hopes that the positive signal given to Georgia by the Commission’s Opinion will spur its Government to implement reforms and reverse the democratic backsliding of recent years.
In the Western Balkans, current issues relating to the enlargement process largely revolve around the commitment to opening Inter-Governmental Conferences (IGCs) with Albania and North Macedonia. The main obstacle to agreement is Bulgaria’s continued objection to moving ahead with opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia due to bilateral difficulties related to the Macedonian language, the Bulgarian community in North Macedonia, and the implementation of the 2017 Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations. Despite strenuous efforts led by the French Presidency to resolve the dispute, it appears unlikely that Bulgaria will be in a position to lift its veto on the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia in the coming weeks which will undoubtedly represent a further setback for the Enlargement process.
The EU is continuing to encourage greater reform efforts on the part of Serbia and Montenegro, particularly in relation to Rule of Law and promotion of good governance. Serbia’s non-alignment with the EU common position relating to Russia has also been of concern recently.
Ireland will continue to support strongly the enlargement process and offer any practical assistance it can to candidate countries engaged in accession negotiations to the EU.
325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the international community continues to support, assist and endeavour to secure the release from prison of a person (details supplied); the extent to which the issue continues to be one of international concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33541/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has repeatedly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military over one year ago. It is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar which took years to establish. The people of Myanmar have consistently endorsed the democratic path and overwhelmingly reject the military coup.
Ireland has repeatedly called for the release of all those arbitrarily detained since the coup. At the Human Rights Council in March, Ireland’s National Statement specifically raised deep concerns regarding inhumane prison conditions and called for the immediate release of the State Counsellor and President.
Speaking on behalf of EU Member States, High Representative Borrell has strongly condemned the politically motivated verdicts handed down to Myanmar's leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. We believe these verdicts represent another step towards the dismantling of the rule of law, a further violation of human rights in Myanmar and an attempt to exclude democratically elected leaders from future political engagement and the inclusive dialogue process called for by ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus.
Ireland is actively engaged on the crisis in Myanmar in the context of our role on the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council has considered the situation in Myanmar nine times since the coup.
At a private meeting of the Security Council on 27 May, Ireland stressed that the international community, and the Security Council, has a responsibility to respond and to support those in Myanmar who are working steadfastly to pursue dialogue, peace and national reconciliation. Ireland is committed to ensuring that the Council continues to engage on this devastating crisis.
Through the UN and our Embassy network, we are encouraging those who have influence on the military leadership, including ASEAN and countries within the region, to use it to find a political resolution to this crisis and protect the human rights of the Myanmar people.
326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which political or religious or other opponents of various regimes globally are currently in prison illegally; if efforts continue to be made for their release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33542/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland strongly advocates for democracy, democratic values, the rule of law, civil society space and respect for human rights as key foreign policy priorities, across our bilateral, EU and multilateral engagement, including at the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN Security Council.
Ireland calls on all States to adhere to their international commitments and obligations, including for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons in arbitrary detention, including political opposition leaders. Ireland also routinely expresses concerns at the discrimination, persecution, intimidation and violence endured by religious or other minorities in various parts of the world.
Ireland has a long-term, strategic partnership with Front Line Defenders since 2001 which is supported by Irish Aid to deliver protection grants to human rights defenders to improve their security, both physical and digital, and to assist with legal fees or medical expenses.
Ireland also consistently raises the issues of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and religuous intolerance, at the UN, including through the Universal Periodic Review process, as well as through European Union Human Rights Dialogues with other countries.
At the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland has been leading a cross-regional core group on a biennial resolution on the creation and maintenance of Civil Society Space since 2013. The most recent resolution on Civil Societry Space at the 47th session of the Human Rights Council in 2021 was unanimously adopted. At the current 50th session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland continues to express our concern on human rights issues including in relation to Afghanistan, Belarus, China (Xinjiang), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Myanmar, occupied Palestinian territory, and in light of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the European Union continues to support the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33543/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor both Ireland and the EU, ensuring peace and stability throughout the Western Balkans continues to be a priority. The war in Ukraine has provoked a significant geopolitical realignment and shown us that we need to deliver on the expectations of the Western Balkans countries, while also strengthening their commitment to European values as future EU Member States. In particular, closer political engagement and practical support to assist with the consequences of the war will be needed in order to bolster the resilience of our Western Balkan Partners.
As a sign of this continuing priority, an EU-Western Balkans Leaders' meeting will take place in the morning of 23 June 2022, just ahead of the meeting of the European Council. The leaders of the six Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) have been invited to meet with the members of the European Council at this meeting. The overall aims of the meeting are to express support for integrating the Western Balkans to the Union; to enhance cooperation with the region; to discuss the enlargement methodology; to discuss geostrategic issues; to deepen people-to-people contacts with; and to promote alignment with EU values and the CFSP.
I warmly welcome the convening of this important engagement with our Western Balkans partners. The EU is already providing considerable assistance to the Western Balkans to promote the region's resilience in the context of the current Russian aggression against Ukraine, including assistance with promoting greater energy security.
Ireland remains a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in the Western Balkans, and are concerned at the increasing disillusionment with the enlargement process as a whole. In particular, we would like to see accession negotiations opened with Albania and North Macedonia without delay. No other single move could better highlight the EU’s prioritisation of the Enlargement Process and ongoing support for the Western Balkans as this.
328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which the activities of the Boko Haram and the Al Shabaab continue to be monitored and restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33544/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland strongly condemns the continued violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and al-Shabaab. Ireland supports the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), and other international efforts to reduce the influence of Boko Haram and al-Shabaab, and to prevent their attacks, especially against civilians and humanitarian workers and facilities. Ireland continues to monitor the activities of these groups and to assist populations affected by their actions.
Through Irish Aid, the Government's official aid programme, Ireland is tackling poverty, hunger, and exclusion, which can be drivers of support for groups such as Boko Haram and al-Shabaab, as well as responding to humanitarian need, in regions affected by conflict. Recipients of Irish Aid funding include Concern Worldwide, Goal, Plan International Ireland, and Trocaire, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and UN agencies and programmes. As an EU Member State, Ireland also contributes to the significant EU development and humanitarian response in countries affected by Boko Haram and al-Shabaab.
Since 2015, Irish Aid has allocated over €36 million in bilateral funding to alleviate the conditions of people in distress across the Lake Chad region – including North-East Nigeria, where the numbers of people in need of humanitarian assistance and protection are at the highest levels recorded. In 2021, Ireland’s funding in the region included €1 million to support the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, which is managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and provides life-saving assistance to communities affected by the conflict in the north east of the country. In 2021, Ireland also provided an additional €500,000 to UNOCHA to address increasing humanitarian needs in Niger. In 2022, Ireland also supported the ICRC with €2 million in funding for its humanitarian work in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger to meet the needs of communities affected by conflict, including those affected by violence from Boko Haram. At the EU, Ireland supports a strong EU humanitarian engagement in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin to address the need of most vulnerable communities. In 2022, the EU has allocated €554 million to respond to the severe needs in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, particularly to address the deteriorating food insecurity and nutrition crisis.
Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €57 million in direct humanitarian assistance to Somalia, including to communities displaced by conflict from al-Shabaab-held areas. In response to the intensifying drought, Ireland made its contributions to humanitarian pooled funds early this year, to ensure that funding was available in a timely manner, with over €5.1 million in direct humanitarian funding for Somalia so far in 2022. We have also contributed to the EU funding of €348 million for Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, which includes humanitarian assistance and longer-term support to tackle root causes of food insecurity, including climate adaptation and mitigation measures. . With humanitarian needs in these regions remaining acute, Irish funding will continue to target those most in need.
Through the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the United Nations is helping stabilise the situation in the Lake Chad region. Ireland is penholder, together with Ghana, on the UNOWAS file at the UN Security Council. In its most recent Presidential Statement on peace consolidation in West Africa of 17 August 2021, the Security Council strongly condemned continued attacks against civilians in the region, and both attacks and threats of attacks against schools, children, and educational personnel, including abductions in Nigeria. Additionally, Ireland is a member of the International Support Group of the Regional Stabilisation Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin (ISG), and has observer status at the Sahel Alliance: both are forums which enable donors to coordinate support in addressing the challenges in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
The UN-mandated African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), a follow-on mission to the African Union-led peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which is primarily funded by the EU, assists the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to combat al-Shabaab. Ireland is supportive of plans to further transition security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces. Ireland is Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee at the UN Security Council, which oversees an arms embargo and other tools to encourage a more peaceful and secure Somalia. This complements Ireland’s role as an EU Member State supporting development and governance in Somalia, including the strengthening of its institutions.
The EU has three Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions in the Horn of Africa. A number of Irish nationals are deployed to the civilian mission EUCAP Somalia, including the Head of Mission. In the Sahel, Ireland currently has 20 Defence Forces personnel participating in EUTM Mali. Ireland also deploys one expert to the civilian mission EUCAP Sahel Niger. Fourteen Defence Forces personnel are deployed in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Ireland’s participation in these missions allows Ireland to contribute to peace and security, help protect human rights, and put in place conditions for sustainable development.
329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the most prominent locations worldwide to which international aid continues to be made available by Ireland and other countries in an effort to combat levels of human rights abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33545/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations’ core Human Rights Treaties set the framework for Ireland’s foreign policy and our international aid programme. A Better World, Ireland's international development policy, focuses Irish Aid’s work on the advancement of universal access to human rights; including the right to adequate standards of living, the right to healthcare, education, freedom from hunger, and civil and political freedoms.
Irish Aid helps to combat human rights abuses, and assist vulnerable communities to realise their rights by: Providing access to education, health services, housing and better governance; strengthening developing country institutions, government systems, parliaments, national human rights institutions, and independent media; addressing gender based violence; supporting civil society partners and promoting civil society space; and supporting the protection of human rights defenders.
Among the geographic areas of focus for our aid programme this year have been Ukraine, the Horn of Africa, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan, as well as countries in the Sahel; all of which are characterised by serious violations of human rights. The 2022 allocation of Official Development Assistance is the highest ever, at €1 billion – a 20% increase on last year. This allows Ireland to maintain its longstanding focus on promoting the rights of people furthest behind, such as those affected by food insecurity and conflict. This year, given the pressure on global food systems resulting from the war in Ukraine, at least €193 million in Irish Aid funding will go to improving food security and fulfilling the right to freedom from hunger.
Ireland's ODA is delivered through multilateral organisations such as the UN, funding to Irish civil society organisations, as well as bilateral ODA spent through Irish Embassies abroad. Our funding is complemented by Ireland's political and diplomatic engagement, including on the UN Security Council, and Human Rights Council. Human rights promotion is at the centre of our international diplomacy efforts at the UN, EU and other bodies; and our principled approach in all fora ensures coherence between Ireland's advocacy and the careful investment of the ODA budget.
330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland continues to use its place on the United Nations Security Council to highlight atrocities taking place worldwide with a view to bringing the perpetrators and aggressors to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is now in the second year of our term as an elected member of the UN Security Council. We have been actively engaged across the Council’s wide agenda since taking up our seat last year, and we are playing a constructive role in helping the Council fulfil its key role in the maintenance of international peace and security.
We have brought our principled and independent perspective to a range of key issues, in line with the core principles for our Council term – Building Peace, Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Ensuring Accountability. We will continue to use our term on the Council to highlight injustices, and to call out violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses.
This includes our work on the broad range of country situations on the Security Council’s agenda, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and the Middle East, and on thematic issues, such as climate and security; women, peace and security; and the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Ireland is also active on the Security Council’s subsidiary bodies, including the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, which we are co-chairing, and the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.
One example of this work has been Ireland’s efforts at the United Nations to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine and also to ensure accountability. I personally briefed the Security Council on 19 April on my visit to Ukraine. What I witnessed there was truly shocking.
On 2 March 2022, Ireland joined a group of concerned States Parties to the Rome Statute in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court. The ICC investigation will prove important in ensuring accountability for any international crimes committed in Ukraine. Ireland continues to be a consistent and strong supporter of the International Criminal Court. On14 April, I announced that Ireland will make a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC, with €1 million to be distributed immediately to the Office of the Prosecutor. This contribution will be used to benefit the ICC’s work across all situation countries.
With ensuring accountability one of the key principles underpinning our engagement on the United Nations Security Council, we will continue to support and defend the International Criminal Court throughout our term on the Council, and to seek accountability as a key foreign policy priority in all relevant international fora.
