Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the top ten locations worldwide which present with the most or greatest human rights abuses; the action proposed through the international community to tackle these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13869/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As has been made clear on previous occasions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up any kind of league table of countries deemed guilty of the worst human rights abuses.

Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries throughout the world, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources, including non-governmental organisations. Where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns about human rights violations to the governments in question, either directly or through action at the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights. At meetings of these bodies, the EU regularly makes statements on the human rights situations in a number of countries from all regions. The EU also introduces or supports resolutions dealing with specific countries.

At the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, which has just concluded in Geneva, Ireland participated proactively in EU co-ordination on a number of country specific resolutions. The EU introduced resolutions on the human rights situation in Myanmar and on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK. The EU also tabled a resolution on Belarus jointly with the USA. In addition, the EU initiated a chair's statement on human rights in Colombia.

Active participation in multilateral organisations such as the EU, UN and the Council of Europe provides an opportunity for Ireland to voice its concerns regarding human rights abuses. Through these organisations, international pressure can be brought to bear on those responsible for the violation of human rights.

The Government will continue to use these mechanisms as a means of highlighting violation of human rights and furthering their protection.