Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the views of former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Mary Robinson that the ambiguity which has been created by the Government of the United States with respect to the definition of torture, in particular the contention that the same acts carried out on the territory of the United States may be qualified differently when carried out extra-territorially, calls into question the reliability of United States' assurances as to compliance with international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39265/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Torture is among the most abhorrent violations of human rights. It undermines the inherent dignity of the person. The prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment admits of no exceptions and may not be derogated from, even in time of war or other emergencies. Torture is therefore unacceptable and unjustifiable under any circumstances.

I am aware of the comments of the former President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Mary Robinson. I agree with her that the definition of torture should not be dependent on the location of its practice. Torture is, and will always be, unacceptable, no matter where or by whom it is practised.

Ireland accepts the definition of torture as set out in relevant international instruments such as the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. I welcome the recent statement by the US Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, that the USA accepts that its obligations under international law apply extra-territorially.