Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in Sudan continues to be monitored by the UN and the EU; the extent to which efforts to bring about an improvement in the area in respect of human rights and other issues has been achieved to date through the efforts of the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49545/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The situation in Sudan and South Sudan is monitored on an ongoing basis by the EU, the UN and other international partners. Ireland is working closely with our EU partners and others to ensure that, in addition to a focus on the political and security situation, priority is given by the international community to the vital issues of human rights and humanitarian access to people and communities affected by the conflict and the tension in the region. The latest outbreak of violence in Sudan, including the attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers on 13 October near El Geneina, in West Darfur, in which one Zambian and three Senegalese peacekeepers were killed and one more wounded, were strongly condemned by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, and by UN Secretary General Ban and members of the UN Security Council. I am pleased to note that the mandate of the joint African Union - UN lead mission, which is over 20,000-strong and contributes greatly to peace and security in the region, has recently been extended until August 2014.

In January last, with Ireland’s encouragement, the EU urged the Government of Sudan to allow safe and unhindered access for international humanitarian workers to all civilians and has underlined the fact that the ongoing conflicts in Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur remain obstacles to progress in providing the full range of support that we would like to provide to Sudan, and in the greater region. The UN Security Council on 2 May and 17 May adopted Resolutions demanding that both Sudan and South Sudan fulfil their obligations under international law to allow access by humanitarian agencies to civilian populations in need of assistance.

In the period following the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolutions, there has reportedly been some calming of the tensions between Khartoum and Juba, and less violence on the ground. However, the issue of humanitarian access has remained unclear, despite continuing pressure from the EU and other parties.

On 27 June 2012, the Sudanese Government finally approved a Tripartite Proposal of the African Union, the Arab League and the United Nations for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in the areas of the Blue Nile and South Kordofan held by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). The deal further included a joint plan between the Sudanese Government and the UN to deliver humanitarian relief to those in need in both states.

Ireland also ensures that focused attention is given to the situation in both Sudan and South Sudan in the UN Human Rights Council, of which Ireland is currently a member. At the 23rd session of the Human Rights Council in June 2013, Ireland, as Presidency of the Council of the European Union, delivered a statement on behalf of the European Union about the human rights situation in South Sudan. In it, the European Union expressed concern at reports of increasing intimidation towards journalists and human rights defenders, as well as serious constraints on the rights to freedom of expression and of assembly. The EU encouraged the Government of South Sudan to bring the legal framework regulating activities of civil society actors in line with international standards. The statement also highlighted major concerns as to the justice and prison systems and encouraged the Government of South Sudan to ensure accountability for all perpetrators of human rights violations.

At the 24th session of the UN Human Rights Council which took place in September 2013, the EU delivered a statement to the Council under Item 4 of the Council’s agenda. Item 4 deals with human rights situations that require the Council’s attention. This statement expressed concern as to the violent conflict in both Sudan and South Sudan, noting in particular ongoing human rights violations against civilians, perpetrated in impunity.

As a member of the EU, Ireland aligned itself fully with this EU statement and also made a national statement under Item 4 which further emphasised our concerns as to the situation in Sudan.

At the same session, Ireland also intervened in the interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan, focussing in particular on freedom of religion and the rights of women and children. Ireland urged the Government of Sudan to implement fully its constitutional provisions and international obligations relating to freedom of religion, ensuring respect for the religious belief of others. Ireland noted its disquiet at the security risks, including sexual and gender-based violence to which women are exposed and urged the Government of Sudan to accede to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women at the earliest opportunity.

My Department is currently in contact with a range of interlocutors in Sudan, including our Irish NGO partners working in the area. In terms of practical and financial support, the Government has provided substantial assistance for those affected by the conflict in this region. At the start of this year, I approved an allocation of €3 million for the UN-managed Common Humanitarian Funds (CHFs) for both the Republic of Sudan and South Sudan. On 8 July, in recognition of deterioration in the humanitarian situation I announced a further funding allocation of €2m to these CHFs. These funds are being provided to help UN agencies and NGOs target the most critical humanitarian needs across both countries, including in areas affected by conflict and by displacement of populations from the Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas. In addition, almost €2.5 million in assistance has been allocated to a number of key Irish NGO partners, including Goal, Trócaire, MSF and World Vision for programmes in Sudan and South Sudan under the annual Irish Aid Humanitarian Programme Plan funding scheme.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the use of child soldiers throughout various conflict areas worldwide continues to be monitored by the international community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49547/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The recruitment and use of child soldiers continues to be a serious problem and a matter of grave concern to Ireland and indeed the international community. The involvement of child soldiers has been reported in most recent armed conflicts and in almost every region of the world over the last two decades. Each year, the United Nations Secretary-General issues a report on children and armed conflict which lists all armed groups – both state and non-state – that recruit and use children. The most recent list includes 52 state and non-state armed groups operating across three continents. It is estimated that up to 300,000 children continue to be involved in more than 30 conflicts worldwide, including, notably, in a number of internal and regional conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa. Against this background, international legal efforts to curb the practice of using children in armed conflict have been stepped up significantly. In 1996, the UN General Assembly voted to establish the post of Special-Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, tasked to serve as an independent advocate for the protection and well-being of boys and girls affected by armed conflict.

In 1999, the UN Security Council passed its first Resolution highlighting the impact of armed conflict on children and condemning violations carried out in that context. With the adoption of nine Resolutions and several Presidential statements since then, the Security Council has developed important tools to strengthen child protection and to promote compliance with international standards.

The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 May 2000 and entered into force in 2002. It is considered the core international human rights treaty on child soldiers: It lays out clear standards relating to the recruitment and use of under-18s by state armed forces as well as non-state armed groups which, if fully implemented, provide a strong foundation for long-term prevention of unlawful recruitment and use of children, and for assisting those who have already became involved in armed conflict.

Ireland has engaged on this issue in various ways including, crucially, through the core work of our aid programme in addressing poverty and under-development – major root causes of this problem. Ireland has also supported more targeted and specific interventions from supporting agencies such as UNICEF and the International Criminal Court, to designing interventions in our bilateral programmes that address the needs of children affected by conflict. We remain deeply committed to addressing this issue, as has been recently reflected in Ireland’s new Policy for International Development, ‘One World, One Future’, where we have pledged to increase our engagement on the issue of child soldiers and children in armed conflict.

Ireland has also been active on the question of child soldiers during our membership of the Human Rights Council. Ireland intervened in the interactive dialogue with the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Leila Zerrougui, which took place during the 24^th session of the Human Rights Council in September 2013. In our intervention, we expressed strong support for the mandate of the SRSG and underlined that the conviction of Thomas Lubanga last year for the recruitment and use of child soldiers sent a powerful message that no individual who violates international criminal law can be confident of impunity. We encouraged all concerned countries to cooperate with UN mechanisms and to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Child on armed conflict.