Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports of child sexual abuse in Zimbabwe; if the EU has plans to make contact with the Zimbabwean Government in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41870/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be of great concern to the Government and to the European Union as a whole. I am gravely concerned by reports of continuing human rights violations, arbitrary arrests, torture of prisoners and abuse of the rule of law. Recent media reports of widespread physical and sexual abuse of children, which would appear to be the basis of the Deputy's question, are particularly distressing. It is regrettable that, notwithstanding the welcome improvements in the economic sphere in Zimbabwe in recent months, the day-to-day lives of many Zimbabweans are filled with insecurity, fear and pain.

The EU regularly raises its concerns over violations of human rights and the rule of law with the Zimbabwean authorities. Most recently, in September 2009 an EU ministerial troika meeting took place in Zimbabwe. In their meetings with President Mugabe, Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara, the EU delegation voiced their concern over continuing disrespect for human rights in Zimbabwe and urged their Zimbabwean counterparts to implement swiftly all aspects of the Global Political Agreement (GPA). The EU will continue to monitor the situation and press the inclusive government to fulfil their obligations to promote and protect human rights.

Ireland's engagement with Zimbabwe also has a strongly practical, humanitarian dimension. In keeping with other international donors, we do not provide funding to the Zimbabwean Government, but respond to the humanitarian needs of the Zimbabwean people through support for the work of multilateral and non-governmental organisations. In 2008, Irish aid to Zimbabwe totalled over €11 million. Thus far in 2009, Ireland has committed funding of over €5.24 million to a range of humanitarian programmes in Zimbabwe.

Our work there has been able to fill crucial gaps in the overall security net for very vulnerable families, especially their children, ensuring that families can stay together and children can continue to attend school. Our projects include supplementary feeding to improve school enrolment and attendance rates; improving access to food for the highly vulnerable; livelihood supports; and health-care provision, to name but a few. Other projects we support are focussed on building up the strength and capacities of communities and civil society in Zimbabwe to support their most vulnerable.

Ultimately, we need a political solution that will bring greater stability and safety to the people of Zimbabwe, including of course its children. The formation of a unity government in Zimbabwe in February was a sign of some modest progress and a source of hope. However, I am very concerned that, nearly ten months on, a number of key provisions of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) remain to be implemented. This is as a result of continued obstruction by political forces that are hostile to the implementation of the GPA. In the meantime, Zimbabwe's neighbours have a critical role to play in encouraging reform, and can bring the greatest influence to bear in achieving progress in the protection and promotion of human rights in Zimbabwe. Ireland will continue to work with our partners in the international community to encourage a unity government that delivers on the promise of reform, and secures a safer future for Zimbabwe's people.