Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 468: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some members of the European Union favour a weakening of the common EU position on Burma; and his views on same. [29444/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 469: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the practical support Ireland gives to Burmese parliamentarians and others who are seeking an end to military rule in Burma; and if it is intended to increase funding or resources. [29445/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 470: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's position regarding the raising of the question of Burma onto the UN Security Council's agenda; if he will support the development of an international strategic initiative on Burma; and his views on same. [29446/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 468 to 470, inclusive, together.

The Government's position on Burma is clear. As I said on previous occasions, most recently in response to a series of parliamentary questions on 6 October, the Government's continuing goal, and that of the EU, remains the return of democracy to Burma, an end to human rights violations, the release and restoration of liberty to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and the realisation of peace and prosperity for the long suffering people of Burma.

The Government has consistently highlighted the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and condemned the lack of progress towards democracy. In my statement on behalf of Ireland at the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly on 19 September, I referred to the continuing denial of human rights and democracy in Burma. I stated that this was most acutely symbolised by the continued detention of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and that her ordeal was not forgotten by the people of Ireland. I pointed out that the cumulative length of her detention is now very close to ten years. The Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, who represented Ireland at the Asia-Europe Meeting, ASEM, of Foreign Ministers in Japan last May stated our position in the presence of representatives of the Burmese authorities. We also encourage Asian partners to use their influence to press the Burmese authorities on the situation there. As recently as last week, I availed of a meeting with Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister to raise our concerns.

Last week also, my colleague in the Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, met with a delegation from the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and associated groups accompanied by representatives of Burma Action Ireland. This meeting was part of a regular dialogue we have with those concerned with the situation in Burma.

The EU applies sanctions against Burma, including a travel ban on senior members of the regime, which is referred to as the EU Common Position on Burma. The current common position is up for renewal in April 2006. In the absence of progress in the period ahead, the expectation is that measures will be renewed for a further year. There has been no discussion of the common position at EU level since the measures were renewed last April. It is expected that consideration of this issue will begin shortly, starting in the relevant working groups in Brussels.

I am not aware of any plans by the UN Security Council to consider the question of Burma. We would be pleased if this were to occur. Ireland will use relevant opportunities to press that the UN Secretary General's special representative, Mr. Razali Ismail, and the special rapporteur on the situation on human rights in Burma, Mr. Sergio Pinheiro, be allowed to visit and to meet all the key players in Burma.

As regards funding, Development Co-operation Ireland, DCI, funded an NGO project in 2003 entitled 'Burma: the funding of conflict and corruption through the unsustainable logging of Burma's forests', aimed at improving the prospects for the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources throughout Burma. Funding for this project amounted to €81,629. In June of this year, DCI agreed to fund a three year project with another NGO. Total funding will amount to €297,254. This project aims to ensure that women and young people from five Burmese ethnic minorities living along the Thai-Burma border possess the skills and knowledge to realise their rights, achieve democratisation and pursue reconciliation. Burma Action Ireland was also approved funding this year of €7,685 to publish two reports documenting and raising awareness of human rights violations in Burma.

Development Co-operation Ireland is open to receiving further appropriate funding requests from non-governmental organisations working to support human rights and democratisation in Burma. In addition, Trócaire also received funding in 2004 from Development Co-operation Ireland of €265,445 in support of its ongoing programme to strengthen civil society in Burma. Ireland pledged €500,000 for humanitarian assistance in Burma in 2005 following the tsunami disaster in south east Asia in December 2004. This funding was allocated to the International Federation of the Red Cross and has been fully committed.