Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of the most recent contacts between the EU and Colombia on the subject of human rights and the contents of these contacts and discussions [43135/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Human rights-related concerns are the subject of a dedicated regular bilateral dialogue with the Colombian Government, which was launched in April 2008. The third session of this dialogue took place in Bogotá in May 2010 and the next round of discussions is expected to take place in the first half of 2011. Following the inauguration of Juan Manuel Santos as President of Colombia in August, Vice President Garzón visited Brussels in October and met with Commissioners De Gucht, Reding and Piebalgs as well as representatives of the European Parliament. During these meetings, a broad range of issues was discussed, including human rights, security policy, the EU-Colombia free trade agreement, social policies and the fight against drugs.

Vice President Garzón, who has been given specific responsibility for dealing with the Government's programme in this area by President Santos, reiterated the importance attached by President Santos's administration to addressing human rights issues in Colombia. Vice President Garzón stressed the Government's willingness to work with civil society on human rights. The Vice President also outlined the content of the Government's land reform Bill, which aims over the next four years to return 2 million hectares to farmers who were forced off their land by illegal armed groups, and a victims' law Bill which would provide reparation for more than 4 million victims of Colombia's long-standing armed conflict.

On the question of security policy, Vice President Garzón emphasised the Colombian Government's continuing commitment to fighting against illegal armed groups, drug traffickers and organised crime organisations within a framework of respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

Vice President Garzón stressed the importance of the EU-Colombia free trade agreement in contributing to Colombia's social and economic development, particularly with regard to increasing employment and alleviating poverty. Finally, the fight against drugs was discussed, with a particular focus on the links between terrorism, drugs and organised crime.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Vice President Garzón is a former trade union leader and in our meetings with him a few weeks ago he stressed labour rights as well as human and other rights. While people have disappeared and children have been inducted into narco-terrorist gangs and so forth, of the 70,000 people who have been killed in the past two decades the largest proportion is of trade unionists and trade union membership is now 50% of what it was 20 years ago because of the attempted terror directed at the right to organise. I understand a group from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will visit Colombia on 9 December and will no doubt stress this point. On the relationship of the European Union with Colombia, will the European Union seek to require of multinationals with head offices in European countries that they comply with ILO regulations in terms of the environment, consultation, work practices and rights? I am referring to European Union companies involved in the natural resources area, in particular in the extractive industries.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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This matter was raised during the discussion of Priority Question No. 1. Front Line and the International Office for Human Rights Action in Colombia informed us late yesterday of the arrest of Mrs. Carolina Rubio Esguerra by the Colombian criminal investigation unit on her return to Colombia following here visit to Brussels, which is of concern. During her visit to Brussels she had attended the general assembly meeting of OIDHACO which is a network of European and international non-governmental organisations that seeks to contribute to the construction and strengthening of democracy, rule of law and peace with social justice. It does not augur well in terms of that situation. We have articulated our concern with the ambassador and so on.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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The issue of the other two lead trade unionists was raised with the ambassador by me this morning.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate that. It is important that multinationals and particularly European multinationals would conform to the ILO provisions. We will certainly continue to raise that issue with the European Union in the context of the agreement, which still needs to go through a ratification process through the European Parliament and so forth. As I said in an earlier reply, the European Union initiated an investigation in El Salvador over the failure of the Salvadoran authorities to incorporate ILO provisions in its domestic employment law so the Deputy can take it that the matter will be pursued in the case of Colombia also.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Earlier I made a point on Colombia to which the Minister replied. The pressure that will be brought to bear on the economic benefits, which are real, between the European Union and Colombia may override, if one likes, the necessary progress that is made on human rights defenders and trade unionists. Unfortunately the former president, Mr. Uribe, in his visits to the European Union has been presenting himself as the person who is the victor over terrorism and the person who brought peace and stability. His legacy is one that has left narco-terrorist gangs in several parts of Colombia. I wish President Santos well if he is different, but as a former cabinet member of the previous president he needs to establish credibility and deliver on the human rights agenda.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We are in agreement that it is all about delivery. From a European perspective it is about vigilant monitoring of the situation there. There is always a need for balance and this is the challenge. One could do nothing and things would not progress at all, but on the other hand the conclusion of a trade agreement can provide leverage and a catalyst to ensure continued progress. It is imperative that we do not allow human rights issues to slip down the pecking order in terms of priority. However, economic development and progress can help to normalise societies. That is the challenge facing all concerned in this case.