Written answers

Tuesday, 18 October 2005

Department of Foreign Affairs

Human Rights Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concerns being raised by international human rights groups in relation to abuses by state forces and by international forces in Haiti against the civilian population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29510/05]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there have been allegations of electoral malpractice in relation to the distribution of voting cards in Haiti; and if Ireland will be sending official election observers to Haiti to monitor their forthcoming elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29511/05]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will be suggesting the EU send a team of official election observers to Haiti to monitor their forthcoming elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29512/05]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether Amnesty International's calls for the deposed leader President Aristide will be allowed the full freedom to contest the forthcoming elections without State interference. [29513/05]

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position Ireland is taking in the United Nations on the activities in Haiti by foreign and Government forces. [29514/05]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 to 477, inclusive, together.

Ireland monitors the human rights situation in Haiti along with our partners in the European Union. In this context, Ireland supported the statement made by the European Union to the United Nations Security Council on 13 May 2005. This statement reiterates our concerns regarding the continuing human rights abuses in Haiti and calls on the Haitian national police to investigate thoroughly all allegations of human rights violations.

In his report to the Security Council on 6 October 2005, the UN Secretary General highlighted the progressive improvements in the security environment in Haiti since his previous report in May. He reported on MINUSTAH's, United Nations Stabilization Mission to Haiti, assistance to the Haitian national police in the development of a reform plan aimed at enhancing professionalism and technical skills, but noted that respect for human rights of the Haitian population continued to be compromised by a mixture of criminal violence and institutional deficiencies. MINUSTAH was working to develop local capacities, including by training and advising local human rights organizations, while continuing to monitor human rights on the ground.

The Secretary General has also reported that on 6 July 2005, MINUSTAH conducted a large-scale operation in the Cité Soleil district of Port-au-Prince aimed at apprehending and bringing to justice a prominent gang leader. MINUSTAH encountered heavy gunfire, and while it took precautions to avoid civilian casualties, given the densely populated urban nature of the terrain, civilians appear to have been caught in the crossfire. However, reports of civilian casualties could not be verified by MINUSTAH due to the strength of the armed response from gang members, which forced MINUSTAH troops to withdraw from the area. Allegations were also made by the Haitian national police, and others, that gangs were seen killing civilians following the operation. MINUSTAH's joint special investigation unit is investigating these acts of reprisal, as well as allegations of excessive use of force by MINUSTAH. The prevailing fragile security situation in Cité Soleil has complicated the investigation.

With respect to the Deputy's questions in regard to the upcoming elections in Haiti, I can confirm that the EU has received an official invitation to send a delegation of observers to monitor the elections. The European Commission recently undertook an exploratory visit to Haiti in this connection and planning for the election observation mission is well underway and nominations are now being sought for observers. A memorandum of understanding concerning the EU election observation mission should be signed with the Haitian Transitional Government shortly. My Department will be nominating at least two individuals to participate in an EU mission.

Recently, there have been reports of good progress in regard to the process of election registration, with 3 million out of a possible 4 million voters now registered. Nevertheless, I am aware that there have been a number of complaints in regard to decisions taken with respect to the organisation of the upcoming elections. The Haitian courts are investigating these complaints prior to the confirmation of a polling date. Ireland, along with its EU partners and the UN, fully supports efforts to ensure that free and fair elections take place. It is a matter for the Haitian authorities to decide whether former President Aristide should be permitted to participate in the elections.

Ireland, together with our partners in the EU, fully supports the presence of the United Nations in Haiti and, as already mentioned, UN forces are playing a key role in facilitating the elections as well as improving the security environment there. MINUSTAH is working with local authorities to launch civic education programmes to prepare for the elections. It is also cooperating in demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration efforts. In June 2005, the Security Council extended MINUSTAH until February 2006 and approved a temporary increase in its strength in order to provide increased security in advance of the elections. The Security Council has also urged the Haitian authorities to increase and accelerate efforts to prepare for and ensure the smooth conduct of the elections, and called on international donors to provide the necessary resources to support the election process.

At an EU-Latin American ministerial meeting which I attended in Luxembourg on 27 May 2005, the importance of comprehensive long-term aid to enable the Haitian people to work towards the establishment of a violence-free inclusive democratic system was acknowledged. The EU pledged €294 million for comprehensive development projects in the country at the Washington Donor Conference for Haiti which took place in July 2004. The European Commission is taking the lead role in administering these funds, up to €20.5 million of which is being used to support the election process.

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