Written answers

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Arms Trade

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the stance taken by Ireland in relation to an embargo on arms sales to Venezuela. [48382/17]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 13 November 2017, I joined with my EU foreign minister counterparts to adopt Council Conclusions on Venezuela and to agree by unanimity targeted restrictive measures, including an arms embargo and a legal framework for an asset freeze and travel ban against persons involved in the non-respect of democratic principles or the rule of law and the violation of human rights in Venezuela. These measures were designed not to harm the Venezuelan population, whose plight the EU wishes to alleviate. Ireland fully supports the introduction of these measures, which is in line with our foreign policy position on the promotion and protection of human rights, and which builds on the Council Conclusions of July 2016 and May 2017 in addressing continued concerns at the situation in Venezuela and the many challenges facing the country. I have on previous occasions expressed my profound concern at the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, a country faced with grave political, economic, and humanitarian crises. During the summer, there were almost daily mass protests and violence across the country, resulting in dozens of deaths in clashes between security forces and opposition demonstrators. The reported human rights violations, excessive use of force, and mass detentions were unacceptable. The continued political polarisation of Venezuela is deeply worrying, and has been exacerbated by the establishment by the government of a constituent assembly which is not recognised by Ireland or the European Union.

I would like to assure the Deputy that Ireland, along with its EU partners, will continue to monitor the situation closely. It is my hope that the restrictive measures we agreed last Monday, 13 November, in the Foreign Affairs Council will, in addition to political and diplomatic efforts, assist in fostering a peaceful negotiated solution through credible and meaningful dialogue.

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