Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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167. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if developments in Honduras are being monitored (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1666/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The developments in Honduras following elections which took place there on 26 November are being closely monitored by officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.I condemn unreservedly, as I have previously done, the loss of human life in violent circumstances in the aftermath of the elections and I convey my sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

It is imperative that all sides in Honduras act responsibly and work together within the political system, that violence is avoided at all times, and that freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate peacefully are fully respected.

Facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Ireland contributed one long-term observer and one short-term observer to the EU Election Observer Mission to Honduras, beginning in October 2017. Officials of the department conducted a thorough debrief with the observers last week.

I would urge the Government of Honduras to take on board and adopt any recommendations made by the mission when its final report on the election is issued in the coming months. Implementation of the mission’s recommendations could help to restore much-needed public confidence in future electoral processes.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to follow the situation in Honduras closely and to engage with human rights defenders and civil society organisations working in that country.

The Government remains committed to raising issues relating to the protection and defence of human rights in Honduras both at EU and UN level.