Written answers

Tuesday, 7 November 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Human Rights Issues

8:00 pm

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he will be attending the hearings of the European Parliament's temporary committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36214/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On 21 September 2006 I received an invitation from Carlos Coelho, Chairman of the European Parliament's Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transport and illegal detention of prisoners, inviting me to attend one of the Temporary Committee's meetings.

In keeping with the Government's policy of full co-operation with the European Parliament in its investigation into this matter, I replied to Mr Coelho stating that I was very happy to accept his invitation. In my reply I also indicated my intention to appear before the end of November. It remains my expectation that I will do so, though I also drew the Committee's attention to the possible demands of the Northern Ireland situation during this month. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the European Parliament remain in close contact on the matter.

I have repeatedly made clear the Government's total opposition to the practice of so-called extraordinary rendition and to any form of illegal detention of prisoners. I have also emphasised the Government's determination to continue our full co-operation with the investigations into these matters being conducted by both the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

The European Parliament hearings will provide the Government with another opportunity to reiterate our outright condemnation of such practices and to assure the European Parliament of our full support for the Temporary Committee's mandate.

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position regarding the drafting and adoption of standards in the Council of Europe to reinforce human rights protection regarding the issues of alleged secret detention in Europe and extraordinary renditions from and through Europe; the deliberations the Committee of Ministers in the Council of Europe has had, or intends to have, on this issue of drafting new standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36215/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Following his receipt and analysis of the Member States' responses to his Article 52 questionnaire, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Terry Davis, has submitted a number of proposals to Member States on ways in which they should reinforce the protection of human rights.

The Secretary General's proposed measures include drawing up minimum standards to prevent human rights abuses by security services, in particular foreign security services active on the territory of a Council of Europe member state, mechanisms to enforce existing human rights obligations with respect to transiting aircraft, and a legal instrument permitting diplomatic immunity to be waived in cases of serious human rights violations.

The Secretary General sent these proposals to Member States on 4 July 2006. In early September, the Committee of Ministers took note of the Secretary General's proposals and agreed to resume consideration of them at one of its forthcoming meetings. Ireland has welcomed the Secretary General's initiative. It is our firm view that for the Secretary General's proposals to be effective, action will require to be taken on a Europe-wide basis.

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