Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recently released Human Rights Watch report which accuses the Burmese Government of crimes against humanity and not doing enough to stop ethnic violence in the country; and if he has discussed this issue with his European counterparts. [23223/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the report released by Human Rights Watch on 22 April concerning the ongoing situation in Rakhine State - also known as Arakan State - in Myanmar/Burma. I am deeply concerned by the reports of grave human rights violations, including allegations of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.

On 21 March 2013, the UN Human Rights Council, of which Ireland is currently a member, adopted resolution 22/14 on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. The Irish Presidency of the European Union played a key role in the drafting and negotiation of the EU-led resolution, which expresses particular concern about the Rohingya minority in Rakhine/Arakan State and persisting inter-communal tension. The resolution urges the Government of Myanmar/Burma to take action to protect the human rights of the Rohingya, and to repeal and/or amend laws that deny the Rohingya the right to birth registration, the ability to marry and freedom of movement, including equal access to citizenship. The resolution also calls upon the Government to ensure that those responsible for violence in Rakhine/Arakan State are held to account and urges it to grant safe, timely, full and unhindered humanitarian access to all persons in need and to facilitate the voluntary return of individuals to their original communities. The resolution also extends for one year the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

On 29 April, the Government of Myanmar/Burma released the report of an independent commission, tasked by the President of Myanmar, U Thein Sein, in mid-2012, with uncovering the root causes of sectarian violence in Rakhine/Arakan State. I welcome the various commitments made by the President since the release of the Commission’s report, including a commitment to take all necessary actions to ensure the basic human rights of Muslims in Rakhine/Arakan State, to uphold the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of speech and to address the humanitarian situation.

As the Deputy is aware, on 22 April 2013, at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, the EU decided to lift all sanctions on Myanmar/Burma, with the exception of the arms embargo and an embargo on equipment which might be used for internal oppression. This decision was taken in the light of the broader political and economic reforms that have been taking place in Myanmar/Burma since 2011 as part of the process of democratisation, and further to the Council’s decision to suspend sanctions in April 2012.

In conjunction with the decision to lift sanctions, there was also a discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council on areas where further progress by Myanmar/Burma is expected, including issues related to ethnic conflict. Furthermore, the EU is providing development assistance amounting to €75m to Myanmar/Burma, including a €19m humanitarian programme, which largely responds to needs arising from ethnic violence and extremism.

Looking to the future, it is critical that the international community’s engagement with, and support to, Myanmar/Burma is carefully and comprehensively structured. Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Rakhine/Arakan State, including at the Human Rights Council.