Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to protect the Rohingya, particularly women that are in danger of or are experiencing sexual violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27996/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the most recent escalation of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, in August 2017, approximately 700,000 members of the Rohingya community have fled across the border to Bangladesh where they now reside in precarious conditions in refugee camps. The exodus of refugees has been accompanied by credible claims of serious human rights violations by the Myanmar Security Forces. These include reports of widespread killing of civilians, sexual and gender based violence, arbitrary arrests, and the burning of Rohingya villages. While any instances of sexual or gender based violence are to be condemned, the accounts emerging from Rakhine State are particularly harrowing.

Ireland, both through bilateral and multilateral contacts, has repeatedly called for an end to disproportionate security operations in Myanmar and for the protection of human rights of those who have remained in Rakhine State. Ireland has actively participated in efforts by the international community to press for accountability for crimes and other violations of human rights abuses that have occurred. In that regard, we have strongly supported the extension of the mandates of the UN Fact Finding Mission and UN Special Rapporteur to Myanmar Yanghee Lee, and have asked the Government of Myanmar to cooperate with them and allow them access to the country. Their work in investigating and recording survivor testimony and gathering other evidence, so that it can be preserved for further criminal proceedings, is crucial to ensuring full accountability.

There is also a critical need for a coherent humanitarian response to the extremely difficult conditions faced by the huge numbers of displaced members of the Rohingya community now mainly in Bangladesh. This includes treatment and support for those women and girls who have survived sexual and gender based violence. Ireland has actively supported the international humanitarian response to the refugee crisis and we provided direct funding of €1 million in 2017 with an additional €1 million allocated for 2018. In addition, as the 6th largest donor to the UN-administered Central Emergency Response Fund, Ireland’s estimated contribution through UN pooled funding amounted to a further €1 million to deliver life-saving support.

Ireland also contributes to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA, the lead UN agency on addressing gender-based violence in emergencies), which currently operates nine women-friendly spaces in Cox’s Bazar District, where women and girls can safely receive a range of services, including referrals to health care and counselling. Ireland contributes to the UNFPA both through core funding and pooled funds.

My Department will continue to liaise closely with EU and other international partners to press for progress in resolving this crisis including through our Embassy in Thailand who are closely monitoring the situation. Ireland will be active on this issue at the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council.