Written answers

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Policy

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

455. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to provide support to Lebanon in view of the recent explosion in Beirut. [21508/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The explosion in Beirut occurred against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis In Lebanon and high levels of humanitarian need arising from Lebanon's very generous hosting of over 1.5 million Syrian refugees, exacerbated by the effects of the COVID pandemic.

So far this year, my Department, through Irish Aid, has provided €3.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, through the UN’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA), as well as Concern and Trócaire. Each of these partners is crucial to supporting the ongoing refugee response and now the response to the explosion. Overall, Ireland has provided €30 million in funding to Lebanon since 2014.

Immediately following the explosion, Ireland provided significant stocks of medical supplies, including Personal Protective Equipment, to the World Health Organisation in Beirut which is coordinating the health response to the crisis. These supplies were transported by the Irish Defence Forces, which following decades of distinguished service in UNIFIL, have a special relationship with Lebanon. Ireland also provided emergency funding to Trócaire for the provision of urgent humanitarian supplies and Irish Aid is working with Concern on its explosion response.

Ireland also contributes to a number of pre-positioned emergency funds. In 2020, we provided €10 million to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The CERF has released €5 million for the immediate needs of Beirut. Ireland also provided €1 million in funding to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) disaster response following the explosion to support the work of Red Cross emergency responders.

As an EU Member State Ireland is also contributing to the wider EU response, which includes €64 million in new funding, and the deployment of search and rescue teams, medical experts and humanitarian responders, as well as substantial quantities of medical and humanitarian supplies.

The initial phase of the crisis, involving search and rescue with emergency medical care, is over. The UN has produced an assessment of needs and an appeal for the coming months. This will allow work restoring livelihoods and self-reliance to begin, with Ireland a partner in Lebanon's recovery.

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

456. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if representation has been made on behalf of Ireland to the EU or UN on issues pertaining to restrictions placed on civil liberties for the people of Zimbabwe including the cutting off of the internet and the alleged tampering of elections. [21625/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am deeply concerned by the prolonged and complex crisis ongoing in Zimbabwe, where cases of COVID-19 are rising against a backdrop of growing political and economic challenges as well as spiralling humanitarian need. I am particularly concerned by a recent and significant escalation in reported human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. The arrest and prolonged pre-trial detention of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume, as well as reports of the arrest, abduction and torture of civil society activists and opposition politicians are sources of grave concern.

Ireland’s EU and UN partners share these concerns. The UN Secretary General, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU and its Member States in Zimbabwe, as well as church leaders in Zimbabwe and abroad, have in recent weeks all called on the Government there to ensure that the fundamental human rights of all Zimbabweans are protected, in accordance with Zimbabwe’s Constitution and international human rights obligations. Ireland stands behind these calls.

Ireland is closely monitoring developments in Zimbabwe from our Embassy in South Africa, which is accredited to Zimbabwe and has responsibility for overseeing the delivery of Ireland’s development and humanitarian assistance there. Ireland’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, based in South Africa, is in regular communication with the EU Delegation and EU counterparts in Harare. EU Ambassadors last held a formal political dialogue with the Government of Zimbabwe in November 2019 and arrangements are being made for a further dialogue to take place before the end of 2020.

Zimbabwe was last discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in February, when the Council called upon the Government to accelerate necessary political and economic reforms, to undertake an inclusive national dialogue, and to ensure justice for human rights abuses, including implementing the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission, following its investigation of post-election violence in 2018.

Ireland’s development assistance in Zimbabwe amounts to €5 million in 2020, targeted mainly towards the delivery of essential health services to women and children – now critical in light of COVID-19 – and supporting civil society to promote good governance and human rights. Ireland works directly with a number of UN agencies and also provides support for the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator. In this context, we maintain close and ongoing engagement with our UN partners. Irish NGOs, Goal and Trócaire are also working on the ground to support local civil society organisations and provide humanitarian assistance.

Ireland will continue to monitor closely developments in Zimbabwe. Together with the EU, we urge the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that the fundamental human rights of all Zimbabweans are protected, and to undertake an inclusive national dialogue involving all political and civil society stakeholders, as the most credible path to a more peaceful and stable Zimbabwe.

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

457. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his engagement with the Ambassador of Morocco in 2019; the actions Ireland has taken in relation to the various well documented human rights abuses in Morocco (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21660/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has ongoing contact with the Embassy of Morocco. I met the Moroccan Ambassador in July, 2019, when he accompanied the President of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Mr. Habib EL Malki, on his visit to Dublin. During that meeting, we had a very useful exchange on a range of political, trade and economic issues, including human rights. Senior officials from my Department also regularly meet with the Moroccan Ambassador to discuss a wide range of issues, with human rights a core element of those discussions. I look forward to deepening our bilateral engagement and dialogue with Morocco with the opening of an Irish Embassy in Rabat.

Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to discuss human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels, including at a bilateral and EU level, and through the United Nations Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

The Deputy has raised the situation in Western Sahara. Our position on this remains one of support to the UN-led process and the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to reach a definitive political settlement on this issue. We support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, but we do not have a view on the outcome of that decision – be it independence, integration, autonomy, or some other solution – so long as it is decided in a genuine exercise of self-determination.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.