Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 53: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Colombia is the world's most dangerous country for trade unionists, in which according to the International Trade Union Conference annual survey of trade union rights violations, 2010, a trade unionist has been murdered on average every three days over the past 23 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27317/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am very well aware of the situation in Colombia regarding the dangers for trade unionists, even if the precise level of such murders is difficult to establish exactly, and I share the deep concern expressed by the Deputy. I met with the Colombian Ambassador to Ireland in July and we discussed at length the human rights situation in the country. I welcomed the steps which the Santos administration has taken to bring an end to violence in Colombia, and I outlined the ongoing concerns of the Irish Government at reports of human rights abuses in Colombia, in particular the hardships reportedly being suffered by trade unionists. At that meeting, I also welcomed the passage of the Victims' Rights and Land Restitution Law in June this year. This is an innovative piece of legislation and will, if fully implemented, represent a further important step in the efforts to push forward the peace process. Vice President Garzón has been tasked by President Santos to take forward the Government's human rights programme. Vice President Garzón has a trade union background himself and has shown his willingness to meet with a broad range of groups to discuss human rights issues, including the four members of the Oireachtas who travelled to Colombia in October 2010 [Deputy Breen, former Deputies Higgins and Kitt, and Senator Daly].

The Colombian Ambassador reiterated to me President Santos' willingness to bring all stakeholders together in the efforts to reduce human rights violations against trade unionists, human rights defenders and journalists.

It should be noted that, despite these very real concerns, Colombia is a safer place to live today, compared with the situation ten years ago. Dialogue with the Government of Colombia, bilaterally and with our EU partners, offers, I believe, the best way to further the objective of improving the human rights situation there. The most recent EU-Colombia human rights dialogue was held in Bogota on 30 June, where the EU voiced concerns at human rights violations against trade unionists in Colombia.

The Government will continue to monitor human rights in Colombia through our Embassy in Mexico and together with the European Union.