Written answers

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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360. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which human rights abuses in the horn of Africa remain a concern for the international community; the steps taken or to be taken to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32100/16]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The promotion and protection of human rights in the Horn of Africa region remains a critical issue on the international agenda.

In 2016, the UN Human Rights Council passed resolutions on several countries in the region, including Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. In addition, the Council received the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea, and established a Commission on Human Rights on South Sudan. These Commissions are designed to investigate human rights abuses in the countries concerned; and to identify specific recommendations to address the situation. The EU also actively engages on human rights issues in the Horn of Africa. The EU Horn of Africa Regional Action Plan highlights human rights, rule of law and democratic governance as priority issues for EU engagement. The EU regularly raises human rights concerns in discussions with the governments of the region.

The EU also provides support to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and to a wide range of human rights NGOs in the region.

Ireland provides significant development and humanitarian funding to the Horn of Africa region, particularly in Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. Ireland has also committed to provide €3 million to the Horn of Africa window of the EU Trust Fund for Africa for the 2016-2020 period.

Ireland will continue to monitor the human rights situation in the Horn of Africa and highlight our concerns bilaterally, through the EU, and in the UN Human Rights Council.

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