Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will join the calls for an immediate halt to the use of violent tactics by the state in Honduras; and if he will condemn the human rights abuses that are being committed. [53161/17]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the worrying and volatile situation in Honduras; his views on the violent tactics employed by State forces against persons in the aftermath of the recent contentious election (details supplied); and his plans to contact his Honduran counterpart to protest the actions of the State forces. [53150/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 59 together.

I am aware of the situation to which the Deputies refer, namely the violence which occurred during protests following general elections in Honduras, which took place on 26 November.

I condemn unreservedly any acts of intimidation or violence perpetrated against those seeking to peacefully demonstrate or defend their rights. In particular, I wish to condemn the loss of human life in recent days and to express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

I echo calls made by the spokesperson of the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini last week for calm and restraint in Honduras in the aftermath of the election.

It is imperative that all sides act responsibly and work together, using the legal mechanisms available to them to address any potential complaints of irregularity regarding the electoral process, and to avoid violence at all times.

The EU deployed an Election Observer Mission to Honduras in October, which consists of 22 long-term observers and 40 short-term observers. Facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Ireland contributed one long-term observer and one short-term observer to that mission, the aim of which is to provide an independent public assessment of the election process.

I am pleased that Ireland was in a position to contribute to this vital work.

The EU Election Observation Mission released a statement last Thursday, 7 December regarding the post electoral situation, calling for fundamental freedoms to be respected and for violence to be avoided at all costs. The statement welcomed the openness expressed by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Honduras to address any challenges made to the election result. Crucially, the EU Election Observation Mission delegation is committed to remaining in Honduras and continuing its vital work to closely observe the election until the electoral process is fully concluded.

While Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in Honduras, officials of my Department do raise issues relating to the protection and defence of human rights in Honduras both at EU and UN level, including through direct contact with the EU Delegation in Tegucigalpa.

On my instruction, they will continue to do so in light of recent developments in the country.

Officials at my Department have also met with human rights defenders from Honduras, most recently in Dublin in October 2017, when the then upcoming elections were discussed in some detail.

Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas development programme, contributes funding to programmes in Honduras through civil society organisations, chiefly Trócaire, including in support of its important work on human rights.

I can assure the Deputies that we will continue to monitor the situation in Honduras closely as the post electoral process progresses into its next stages.