Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland and our EU partners are gravely concerned about reports of human rights violations by the Malian authorities. Such allegations must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible should be held accountable. Respect for human rights is at the core of all of Ireland's engagement in overseas missions. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2071 (2012) calls on the EU to provide assistance, expertise, training and capacity-building support to the armed and security forces of Mali in order to restore the authority of the State of Mali over its entire national territory.

As a result, the Government decided on 26 February to deploy eight members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the EU training mission in Mali, as part of a joint infantry training team with the United Kingdom armed forces, to provide military training and advice for the Malian armed forces. The mandate of EUTM Mali, in which Ireland will participate, includes a strong focus on training the Malian armed forces in the areas of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Addressing concerns about the human rights situation in Mali is one of the European Union’s highest priorities. At the Dublin meeting of Development Ministers on 12 February the European Union announced that it would be providing funding for the deployment of human rights monitors throughout Mali. The monitors will be from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and civil society. The situation in Mali is being discussed at the current session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Ireland will be playing an active role in these deliberations in order to highlight our continuing human rights concerns and ensure these are addressed.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

We are consistent in our view that the crisis will not be resolved through military action alone. In this context, we are pressing hard for progress on the political track. The Government has welcomed the progress made in that area in recent weeks with the adoption by the Malian Government of a political transition road map and the establishment of a national dialogue and reconciliation commission. My colleague, the Minister for Defence, calls for the full implementation of the road map culminating in free and fair elections scheduled for July.

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