Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position with regard to the release of women and girls captured by the Boko Haram or Al Shabab in their respective regions; the number of women and girls still not released; if sufficient measures are being taken to prevent reoccurrences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40085/17]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The Government has consistently condemned the acts of violence being perpetrated by both Al Shabab and Boko Haram, which remain a threat to the peace, stability, and prosperity of Somalia and Nigeria respectively, and neighbouring countries. The brutal activities of these groups have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions more. They also involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and girls. While it is difficult to identify the exact numbers of women and girls being held captive by Boko Haram, in recent months the Government of Nigeria has made substantial progress against the group. In 2014 over 200 girls known as the ‘Chibok girls’ were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Borno State in the north-east of Nigeria. Varying numbers of girls have been released at different times, with the largest number freed in May 2017. However over 100 remain unaccounted for.

Ireland, with our EU partners, has continued to support the Nigerian Government in its efforts, and reiterated the need for a regional approach to ensuring that those in captivity are released, and to prevent future occurrences. The EU has pledged up to €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, which supports Nigeria and neighbouring countries promotion of regional security.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), is tasked with supporting peacebuilding and state-building in the country. The EU contributes funding to the mission to reduce the threat posed by Al Shabab.

Ireland continues to monitor developments in relation to both Al Shabab and Boko Haram, and to work with the relevant Governments, regional authorities and other key partners to address the humanitarian crisis through diplomatic engagement and humanitarian funding. To date in 2017 Ireland has provided €5.7 million in humanitarian assistance to Somalia, while €5.2 million has been provided to Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which child soldiers continue to be used in various war situations throughout Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40086/17]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The recruitment and use of child soldiers continues to be a serious problem around the world, including in Africa. Since 2002, the United Nations Secretary-General has issued an annual 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, published in April 2016, includes groups operating in seven African countries.In 1999, the UNSecurity Council passed its first Resolution (UNSCR 1261) highlighting the impact of armed conflict on children and condemning violations carried out in that context. Since then, the Security Council has developed important tools to strengthen child protection and to promote compliance with international standards.

The new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict was appointed in May of this year. Ahead of the 20 year anniversary of Resolution UNSCR 1261 she has committed to raising public awareness, garnering lessons learned, and developing best practices to combat the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Ireland has engaged on the issue of child soldiers in various ways including through the core work of our aid programme in addressing socio-economic factors, which are major root causes of this problem. Ireland has also actively supported more targeted and specific interventions including support to UNICEF as well as the International Criminal Court. Ireland’s commitment to addressing the issue of child soldiers is reflected in our Policy for International Development, ‘One World, One Future’.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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103. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken by the EU and UN to address the issue of alleged ethnic cleansing in Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40087/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government is deeply concerned about the situation in Rakhine State, in particular the violence which has ensued following attacks committed by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army militants on 25 August. The excessive response by the security forces of Myanmar/Burma following these attacks is deeply troubling. It is critical that violence in Rakhine State be brought to an immediate end. It has led to a severe humanitarian crisis both within Myanmar, and across the border in Bangladesh, which is seeking to manage the humanitarian needs of well over 400,000 refugees. Ireland fully aligns with the statements made by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini on the 6 and 11 September, in which she called for humanitarian access to be restored and for the root causes of the issue to be addressed. During a European Parliament Debate on Myanmar on 14 September, she also criticised the excesses in the security operations carried out by the Myanmar security forces, and called for an end to the violence. The EU is working to find a solution, both in its bilateral contacts with Myanmar and via its participation in international fora, including the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council which are meeting this month in New York and Geneva. The EU has led a resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar at the Human Rights Council on an annual basis, most recently in March 2017, in which it renewed the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar by another year.

The EU has also raised its concerns directly with the Government of Myanmar. An EU delegation led by the EEAS raised this when it met with the Myanmar authorities in Naypyidaw in early September, and the EU Delegation in Yangon continues to do so on a regular basis.

The situation in Rakhine State and the resulting humanitarian crisis has been highlighted by UN Secretary General Guterres and by High Commissioner Zeid on a number of occasions in recent weeks. The UN Security Council met on 13 September to discuss the issue. In a subsequent press briefing, the Security Council condemned the violence, welcomed the UN Secretary General’s engagement with the Government of Myanmar and called for a long-term solution in the Rakhine State.

In March this year, a Fact Finding Mission was established further to an EU-led resolution at the UN Human Rights Council to investigate allegations of human rights violations in Myanmar. Ireland has called for an extension of the mandate of the Fact Finding Mission to enable it complete its work. Ireland has also consistently supported the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Ms. Yanghee Lee, who has been actively reporting on the situation in Rakhine State.