Dáil debates

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Topical Issue Debate

United Nations Report on Refugees

3:15 pm

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The UN High Commission for Refugees report was published today. It shows that in 2012, an estimated 7.6 million people were newly displaced because of conflict or persecution, the highest number in 24 years. More than 45 million people have been forcibly displaced throughout the world. These are frightening figures. In the Middle East alone in 2012, Afghanistan saw a displacement of 2.5 million, Iraq had in the region of 750,000 and Syria had 750,000.

There is little doubt that war is the main cause of displacement worldwide. Sadly, the role played by the United States in the Middle East has been detrimental to very many people. There is not only the war going on in Afghanistan and Iraq, but of late we have seen the most modern form of war at work in the use of drones, which is terrorising people. The notion that President Obama might regularly go through a kill list of Muslims he intends to eliminate, without any judicial process and with no more identification supplied than the word of a dodgy spy on the ground, is terrifying. I do not know how anybody can see justification for this behaviour. By all accounts, the only way to measure the success of drones is in body count.

Every parent can connect with what President Obama said about the murder of 20 children in Newtown, Connecticut. It must follow that what applies to the children murdered in Newtown by a deranged young man also applies to the children murdered in Pakistan by a sombre American President. The latter children are just as important and deserving of our concern. It is disappointing that the issue appears not to have been raised with the Obamas when they visited Ireland this week.

3:25 pm

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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This report on refugees is a devastating indictment of current international policy. One person is displaced every four seconds and men, women and children are being uprooted from their communities. The report is useful in revealing that, contrary to the myth prevailing in the West about an invasion of refugees from these war torn countries, most refugees end up in bordering countries that are also developing and impoverished, with the result that their struggles for life become even more difficult. Germany is the only EU member state in the top ten host countries. As 55% of refugees come from war torn countries, it is clear that international policies are directly linked to this displacement of people. We must examine these policies. Syria was the country which experienced the largest increase in refugee numbers. What is the international community doing about that? It has decided to arm the opposition, which means there will be even more refugees while peace talks are delayed and people refuse to sit down to find a solution.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has stated that he is deeply concerned about the indiscriminate use of drones in contravention of international law, as well as about the number civilians they kill. However, he also stated that he sees no prospect of an agreement on banning drones. What is the Government going to do to help countries that are victims of conflict and poor international policy? Will it make a stand for diplomacy and against the types of barbaric activity that drive so many people out of their homes?

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputies Wallace and Clare Daly for raising the United Nations report on the international refugee crisis. This year's Global Trends report, which was released today by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, provides a sobering update on the status of the 42.5 million people forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, generalised violence and human rights violations. Of particular concern is the increase in the total number of displaced people across the world from 42.5 million at the end of 2011 to 45.2 million at the end of 2012. The increase in overall numbers reflects the ongoing challenge faced by the international community in preventing and resolving conflicts. Of these 45.2 million people, 15.4 million are refugees, 937,000 are asylum seekers and some 28.8 million are people forced to flee within the borders of their own countries. The report makes clear that war remains the dominant cause of displacement, with 55% all refugees listed in the report coming from just five war affected countries, namely, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and Sudan. The report also charts major new displacements from Mali, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and from Sudan into South Sudan and Ethiopia.

As stated by the High Commissioner, Mr. Antonio Guterres, these are alarming numbers and they reflect individual suffering on a huge scale. In 2012, an average of 23,000 people were forced to leave their homes every day to seek protection elsewhere. The number of new refugees and internally displaced persons are among the highest we have seen in the last ten years. Women and girls made up 48% of the refugee population in 2012, while children under the age of 18 years represented 46%. The report records a worrying increase in the number of children who are unaccompanied by or separated from their parents and, therefore, particularly vulnerable to child trafficking or sexual abuse.

Also evident is a continuing gap between richer and poorer countries in hosting refugees. In all, developing countries host 81% of the world's refugees, compared to 70% a decade ago. While the media often focuses on the numbers of refugees hosted by Ireland, there is very little awareness that countries such as Pakistan host over 1.6 million refugees or that Kenya and Ethiopia host 564,000 and 376,000, respectively.

As the principal UN entity dealing with refugees, the UNHCR is one of Irish Aid's key multilateral partners. In 2012 we provided €6.1 million in core contributions to the UNHCR, with an additional €2.3 million specifically for individual appeals in Chad, Jordan, the Sahel, Somalia, Syria and Western Sahara. In 2013 we have also provided €6.1 million in core contributions to the UNHCR. In addition this year, we have already provided €2.5 million towards the UNHCR's appeals for the Syrian region and for Turkey, as well as for the UNHCR global appeal. We also provide ongoing support to UNRWA, which is the UN agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, with €6.34 million provided last year. However, our partnership extends beyond financial support to ongoing co-operation at all levels.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, having witnessed at first hand the UNHCR's work in Somalia, met the High Commissioner during his visit to Ireland in October 2012. The High Commissioner particularly commended Ireland's financial support in the face of difficult economic circumstances. The report captures many of the key issues arising from their discussions, including the huge refugee burden associated with the Syrian crisis and the so-called forgotten crises in Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and elsewhere. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Costello, also made it a priority to visit the UNHCR's work in the Za'atari refugee camp in north Jordan. Ireland has also used our Presidency of the EU Council to call consistently for a stronger international response in Syria and elsewhere to protect the rights of refugees.

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The number of people who are suffering and dying on a worldwide basis because of war is beyond comprehension. Ireland needs to be more vociferous in our condemnation of all sides, be that Russia, Iran and Hezbollah supporting Assad in Syria or the Americans, British and French arming the rebels and backing Saudi Arabia's intervention. We recently watched France enter Mali and Libya has been devastated. A small country like Ireland can be a significant player on the world stage by speaking out and emphasising its abhorrence of this type of behaviour. The world does not value the lives of the women and children of these regions the same as those at home or in America. This country needs to speak out as an independent nation.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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The Minister of State acknowledged that war is the primary reason for the huge number of refugees but we have to draw lessons from that observation. The UN report notes that the country with the largest number of refugees is Afghanistan and the country with the biggest increase in the number of refugees is Syria. The lesson is that interference by foreign imperialist powers causes dislocation and gives rise to these problems.

I agree that it is not enough for us to stand idly by but we can channel an independent foreign policy far beyond anything that we have done thus far. It is welcome that Ireland spoke out against the lifting of the embargo on Syria and I acknowledge the Tánaiste's role in that regard but it is not enough. He needs to do more and, in the same way that Ireland was at the forefront in the campaign to eliminate landmines, we can lead in respect of drones and other reprehensible areas of foreign policy.

With that in mind, I ask the Minister to ensure that no arms destined for Syria are transported through Shannon Airport on their way to kill Syrian civilians.

3:35 pm

Photo of Dinny McGinleyDinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I agree with Deputies Daly and Wallace that the situation is becoming more serious. The figures showing an increase of 3 million in the number of refugees in less than two years speak for themselves. While Ireland is a small country, we have a voice that is listened to and carries some authority internationally. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and his Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, actively highlight unacceptable circumstances that arise in various countries.

The United Nations report on the international refugee crisis states that most refugees have been displaced as a result of wars in different parts of the world. Most people will agree that Ireland makes a significant contribution by sending troops overseas to places of conflict as part of peacekeeping operations. Despite our economic difficulties, we also make a significant financial contribution, as I outlined. Our efforts were acknowledged and recognised by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, AntónioGuterres, during his visit in October 2012. I assure the Deputies that the Tánaiste and his Ministers of State will continue their efforts to highlight problems. The Government is committed to doing everything possible in this regard.