Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the Amnesty International report on human rights violations concerning the Kurds in Syria published in February 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7614/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland and its EU partners have continuing concerns about the general human rights situation in Syria, including the position of the Kurdish minority. We continue to avail of all appropriate opportunities to engage with the Syrian authorities about these concerns and to raise specific issues where this appears to be appropriate. The Syrian authorities are well aware of the EU's concerns about rights of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and the rights of minorities. When the recently concluded EU association agreement with Syria comes into force, this will provide an additional mechanism for raising these concerns.

I am aware from Amnesty International reports and other sources of the matters referred to regarding Kurds in Syria, and specifically the case of 15 Syrian Kurds charged with rioting following disturbances in a number of areas in March 2004. The EU missions in Damascus are aware of the case and, indeed, EU representatives were refused admission to the court during the proceedings. The EU will continue to raise its concerns about this case, and human rights issues in general, with the Syrian authorities.