Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied) in relation to the security forces in Honduras and other issues in that country; and if he will raise the need for prosecutions against those involved in state violence and the release of the remaining political prisoners with his Honduran counterpart. [27909/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I want to thank the Deputy for raising these cases. It seems clear from reports we have received that significant challenges persist regarding Honduran citizens’ enjoyment of basic human rights. The situation continues to be a cause of deep concern.I condemn unreservedly violence perpetrated against those seeking to defend their rights or peacefully demonstrate in Honduras, as well as a culture of impunity where that exists. I would also call for those responsible for such violence to be brought to justice. The loss of life and violence and the denial of basic human rights which has occurred since elections took place in Honduras in November 2017 is very worrying. Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are the cornerstones of any functioning democracy and those rights must be guaranteed.

I fully support, as I have done previously, the statement made earlier this year by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights calling for the Honduran authorities to “undertake an assessment of the rules of engagement, including the use of force, and for the security forces to use only necessary and proportionate force, in line with international law, in policing demonstrations”. The Deputy will be aware that Ireland contributed one long-term observer and one short-term observer to the EU Election Observer Mission to Honduras last year, facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

I urge the Government of Honduras to take on board and adopt the recommendations made by the EU Mission in their final report, in order to help to restore much-needed public confidence in future electoral processes in the country.

It is my belief that all sides in Honduras must work within the political system to deliver the political reforms necessary to secure the trust of the Honduran people in the country’s institutions. In that regard I would encourage all relevant actors in Honduras to engage in the UN-facilitated political dialogue which launched in March.

While Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in Honduras, officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade meet regularly with human rights defenders and civil society organisations active in Honduras. Officials also engage with the European External Action Service through its EU delegation in Tegucigalpa.

We will continue to work actively with the EU and our international partners to promote and protect human rights and civil society in Honduras and I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to follow the situation there closely.