Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries against which Ireland has supported concerns of human right abuses; the measures that have been taken to highlight such abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4484/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the African countries wherein it is alleged that the most serious human rights abuses are taking place; the steps he has taken or proposes to take through the UN or EU with a view to addressing these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4557/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 200 together.

Human rights remain central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources including both official and non-governmental organisations. Where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns about human rights violations to the Governments in question, either bilaterally, through the EU, or through action at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council. At these bodies, the EU regularly makes statements on the human rights situation in various countries. Ireland is fully associated with these statements. The EU also introduces or supports resolutions dealing with specific countries.

At the most recent session of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the EU tabled resolutions on the human rights situations in Burma/Myanmar and in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Both resolutions were adopted by the Third Committee. In addition, the EU co-sponsored resolutions on the human rights situation in Iran (tabled by Canada) and in Belarus (tabled by the USA).

In relation to Africa, there is concern regarding human rights in a number of countries and, in particular, regarding the situation in Darfur. The UN Human Rights Council, which meets in Geneva, held a Special Session in December 2006 to consider the urgent human rights situation in Darfur. Ireland, along with our EU partners, was instrumental in calling for this Special Session. The Council adopted, without a vote, a resolution which expressed concern at the seriousness of the human rights and humanitarian situation in Darfur and decided to dispatch a High-Level Mission to assess the human rights situation in Darfur and the needs of Sudan in this regard.

Active participation in multilateral organisations such as the EU, UN and the Council of Europe provides an opportunity for Ireland to voice its concerns regarding human rights abuses. Through these organisations, international pressure can be brought to bear on those responsible for human rights violations.

The EU has also adopted Common Positions on certain countries, which attach priority to promoting human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law. In addition the EU conducts human rights dialogues with a number of countries and also raises human rights as part of political dialogue meetings.

The Government will continue to use these mechanisms as a means of highlighting violations of human rights and furthering their protection.