Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome our guests, and I congratulate Mr. Lambrinidis on his appointment and wish him well. He identified a number of important issues. First, there is the need for universal recognition of the role of, and necessity to comply with, international criteria on human rights, something that is diminishing rapidly. Of course, this is not new. In the aftermath of the French Revolution many asked whether this was what they had fought for. The Russian Revolution was not spectacular in its adherence to human rights either. There is nothing new in that.

The question that we and Mr. Lambrinidis must address throughout society in each member state in the European Union, collectively and individually, is the degree to which there can be recognition of the authority of the human rights organisations and the NGOs in this regard. If the human rights messenger is disregarded or not allowed to function in whatever environment, there is nothing as demeaning and as bad for morale. Human rights apply to governments, opposition, those who feel they are downtrodden and those who are in authority, whether or not they are abusing that authority. They apply universally.

The five key points Mr. Lambrinidis raised at the European Parliament committee on this issue are correct. Recognition is important. Visibility, as he himself stated, is important, but not as key as the other parts. So too is coherence, universal application of the rule and universal acceptance of the need.

The weight of the European Union and the authority that goes with it must be recognised internationally as well. It has a significant population bloc, a considerable area of influence and responsibility, a significant area of democracy and a considerable weight of authority. Mr. Lambrinidis now carries that authority with him right throughout the globe. It is important that such authority is recognised universally. If not, then the efforts of Mr. Lambrinidis will be made difficult, both for him and for those who wish to back him up. There are some cases where it is not possible for NGOs to operate without some kind of back-up. I wonder to what extent there is a need for supportive back-up of a peacekeeping nature to allow the influence of the NGOs and of Mr. Lambrinidis's office to flourish.

As I set out at the beginning, there is a need for member states within the European Union to take ownership of the concept that has been mentioned by all members, on both the Government and Opposition sides, including those who were in authority previously and those who were not. We can think of numerous instances in the past ten, 15 or 20 years where, in the flurry of activity following the demise of unacceptable dictatorships, there were actions that were not in accord with the best principles of human rights and could never be excused as being understandable or necessary. There is always the danger, when the downtrodden get their hands on the reins of power, that they will treat those who did damage to them previously in the same fashion. That does not resolve any problem at all.