Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken by he and his EU colleagues to address the ongoing issue of human rights abuses in Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23942/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the worst locations of war and strife, starvation, ethnic cleansing, corruption, genocide and general human rights abuses on the continent of Africa; the action taken at EU or UN level to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23943/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives he has in mind to address the ever increasing problem of famine and strife in the various African countries through the UN or the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23949/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 166 and 172 together.

The reduction of poverty, hunger, conflict and human rights abuses in Africa is one of the most important tasks of the international community in the 21st century. Conflict has many causes and many manifestations, but poverty, inequality and exclusion have proved to be the most fertile breeding grounds for violence, ethnic hatred and human rights abuse. Most wars occur in poor countries, and the causes and effect of conflict are exacerbated by poverty and corruption. My department closely monitors developments in the human rights situation throughout the world and, where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns to the governments in question, bilaterally, through the EU, or through action at the UN General Assembly or the UN Human Rights Council.

The risk of corruption, strife and famine is of course greater where political, economic and administrative systems are weak. Development is essential to allow people the full enjoyment of their human rights, and Africa is the main focus of Ireland's development co-operation programme. Irish Aid supports specific actions designed to promote human rights, and combat corruption, including by strengthening government systems and in-country human rights institutions. Irish Aid has a specific focus on governance in several programme countries. In relation to famine and hunger in Africa, the then Minister of State for Overseas Development, Conor Lenihan T.D., last year established the Hunger Task Force. The aim of this Task Force is to identify the additional, appropriate and effective contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger, and thus contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of halving hunger and poverty by 2015.

The importance of the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world is a cornerstone of the European Union's external action. In its political dialogue with individual African countries under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, the EU regularly raises issues which arise in the development of democracy and the need for protection and promotion of human rights. This year, the EU is beginning a structured dialogue with the African Union specifically on human rights issues. UN bodies such as the UN High Commission for Refugees and the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs will continue to play a key role in ensuring the security of those most vulnerable to abuse. UN authorised peacekeeping missions also have a major role in stabilising former and current conflict zones throughout Africa, and in protecting vulnerable populations. Such protection is a key part of the mandate of the current EU-led military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR Chad/RCA, in which the Irish contingent is playing a prominent role.

African leadership and responsibility are crucial in addressing these issues, and the African Union represents an important strategic partner for the European Union and the international community generally. Since 2004, the EU has supported the development of African-led peacekeeping in Darfur and elsewhere through its African Peace Facility. Peace and security, good governance and development were among the themes which European leaders discussed with their African counterparts at the EU-Africa Summit in December 2007 which agreed a comprehensive EU-Africa Strategy to address these and other common challenges. The aims of the African Union include the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. The emergence of African standards in this area is a very welcome development.

The challenges facing Africa are enormous. But there is some encouraging news. Many African economies are growing. The work of the International Criminal Court marks a real effort to end impunity for war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, and it is investigating four situations in Africa. Many suspects have already been tried, while several others are awaiting trial. While there are exceptions such as Somalia, Zimbabwe, the Darfur area of Sudan and others, many African countries now have less violence and civil strife than for many years. There is relative peace in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, and southern Sudan.

Developments so far this year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and northern Uganda have been very encouraging, although international engagement will be needed for some time. Through our growing aid programme, Ireland will continue to address needs and build on progress to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of those most in need of assistance in Africa.