Written answers

Wednesday, 25 January 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Human Rights Issues

8:00 pm

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 702: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if all financial support for the Ethiopian Government will be withdrawn in view of the human rights abuses that are being carried out by and on behalf of the current administration; his views on whether continuing to fund such a regime is tantamount to endorsing its actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2528/06]

Photo of Conor LenihanConor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's support to Ethiopia is focussed on addressing the basic needs of the rural poor. No Irish aid moneys go directly to the Government of Ethiopia via direct or general budget support.

With a population now exceeding 70 million people, Ethiopia is Ireland's largest programme country. It is also the poorest, with over 30% of the population living on less than $1 a day and 76% on less than $2 dollars a day. It is ranked 170th out of 177 on the UN human development index.

In Ethiopia, Ireland's assistance supports social safety net programmes which provide direct transfers to the poorest people in the country. Without such support — provided by Ireland, UK, the EC, the World Bank, UN World Food Programme, USAID and Canada — it is estimated that between 5 million and 7 million people in Ethiopia would face starvation each year.

In addition, Irish assistance supports national and sub-national programmes managed by local authorities, providing health, education, water and sanitation and other services for their populations. We are funding the building of schools, health clinics, the sinking of wells and the improvement of sanitation. We are also assisting in the building and maintenance of rural roads which provide a key transport infrastructure for poor farmers. All these activities enhance the basic conditions of life for many thousands of poor Ethiopians. Our assistance is transforming the lives of the poorest.

Our programme also has a strong focus on the promotion of better governance through investing in activities that aim to promote the voice of poor communities and make Government institutions more responsive to people's needs including capacity building assistance to the Human Rights Commission and civic education.

Notwithstanding the quality and pro-poor focus of the aid programme in Ethiopia, I have deep concerns about the political and human rights situation there. I made my views clear to the Chargé d'Affaires of the Ethiopian Embassy when I met him in the aftermath of the political disturbances last November. I condemned the lethal use of force by the security forces and called for an investigation into their behaviour. I also called for an end to random searches and arrests. An investigation commission has been established and a large number of detainees released. Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to emphasise to the Government of Ethiopia, most recently in a meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister on 17 January, the need to respect human rights and the rule of law, to strengthen the democratisation process by opening a non-conditional dialogue with all opposition parties and allowing opposition parties and civil society organisations operate freely, and to allow the private media operate without restrictions and develop a media code of conduct. The EU also plans to send international observers to monitor the trial of 130 opposition and civil society leaders due to begin next month.

Our aid programme is kept under constant review. In making any assessment and future decisions about Ireland's cooperation with Ethiopia, I will be guided by the situation on the ground and by close contact and liaison with Ireland's EU and like-minded development partners.

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