Written answers

Thursday, 20 January 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

5:00 am

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 162: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding human rights and other issues in Darfur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3221/11]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The persistence of the conflict in Darfur, albeit at a lower level than the intense violence of 2003-2004, and the continuing suffering of the people in the region are of grave concern. The UN estimates that the past seven years of conflict there have resulted in the deaths of over 300,000 people and the displacement of nearly three million while there are reports of ongoing security incidents, human rights abuses and displacement of civilians.

The best hope for an improvement in the conditions facing the Darfuri population is a comprehensive, negotiated settlement between the Government of Sudan and rebel groups, as provided for by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 which brought to an end the North-South civil war in Sudan. The African Union and the United Nations, through the efforts of the joint UN-AU mediator, Djibril Bassolé, and the former president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, are active in facilitating talks between the parties to the Darfur conflict, hosted in Doha by the State of Qatar. While some progress was achieved in 2010 in bringing the larger rebel groups into the process, other armed groups remain outside the talks process, and progress on substantive issues has been slow.

Regrettably, the Government of Sudan temporarily suspended its participation in the Doha talks process at the end of last year, citing a lack of progress on political issues, although it has reaffirmed its commitment to reaching a comprehensive settlement. A priority must be the conclusion of cease-fire agreements on the ground between the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups as a prelude to substantive negotiations. I call on the rebel groups to engage genuinely in such negotiations and I call on the authorities in Khartoum to return to the talks table in Doha so that progress can be achieved in the interest of the people of Darfur. It is to be hoped that a positive outcome to the referendum process in Southern Sudan will contribute to a political environment in which this progress can be achieved.

In the meantime, Ireland, together with its EU partners, remains committed to supporting AU and UN efforts to reach a negotiated settlement in Darfur that will address all aspects of the conflict including the humanitarian and human rights situation, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 163: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have continued to monitor the situation in each of the African states currently affected by war, famine, human rights or genocide; the degree to which assistance is being delivered in such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3222/11]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are several countries in Africa which are suffering from conflict, food shortages, and human rights abuses, and some which have suffered genocide. The international community continues to intervene to address these issues on the African continent, whether on a bilateral or multilateral basis. With regard to the issue of hunger and famine, it is estimated that more than a billion people today do not have enough food. Ireland is responding to this challenge, working bilaterally in our Programme Countries with our EU partners and other donors, and at a global level through the UN agencies.

With regard to security, UN and EU peace-keeping missions in Africa have a role in stabilising former and current conflict zones. Since the 1960s members of the Irish Defence Forces have participated in numerous UN and EU peace-keeping missions in Africa, and continue to do so.

With regard to the thankfully rare cases of genocide, there are a number of current situations in Africa which give rise to continuing concern. The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide is mandated to alert the international community to the potential of genocide in a particular country or region, and to make recommendations on actions to prevent or halt genocide.

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

In developing a sustainable approach which properly addresses the root causes of all these issues, and other problems, Ireland takes the view that African leadership and responsibility are crucial. This is recognised by the EU and UN, which are both working to build the capacities of African States and the African Union to respond to these challenges. Ireland is committed to playing its part in this work, and I believe that our comprehensive and inclusive approach to these challenges stands the best chance of facilitating real and positive change in the lives of millions of people in Africa.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.