Written answers
Tuesday, 23 November 2021
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Foreign Policy
Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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320. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagement with both Presidents Herzog and Abbas on Israel’s designation of six Palestinian non-governmental organisations as terrorist organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57344/21]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I made a statement on 27 October expressing my concern at these designations.
I raised the matter in my recent visit to the region, including in my meetings with President Herzog and Foreign Minister Lapid. My programme did not include a meeting with President Abbas on this occasion. I discussed the designations in my meetings with Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh and Deputy Prime Minister Abu Amr.
Our partners in the EU are also aware of this matter, and have been in touch with the Israeli authorities to seek further clarification. As I have stated, in the absence of detailed evidence from the Israeli authorities to support the designations, Ireland will continue to support the organisations concerned.
Ireland has been active on this matter at the UN Security Council, and we supported the holding of a discussion on the designation and the recent settlement announcements at the Council on 8 November. We made a joint press statement following the meeting with EU Member States, France and Estonia, joined by Norway and Albania.
In this statement, we underlined our serious concern at this designation and the potential political, legal and financial consequences. This designation has the potential to impact, not only these six organisations, but civil society more broadly across the oPt and to seriously undermine vital humanitarian, development and human rights work.
Civil society organisations and human rights defenders play a critical role in promoting international law, peace, human rights and democratic values. Ireland is committed to funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders through the Irish Aid programme, including Palestinian civil society.
Ireland maintains a high level of oversight and are collectively and individually vigilant about governance and the potential misuse of funds. My Department has robust controls in place to ensure that funds are used or distributed as agreed. Its procedures are aligned to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Public Spending Code.
In addition, my Department has an independent Evaluation and Audit Unit that provides objective assessment, assurance, advice and insight on governance, risk management and internal control.
Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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321. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the situation in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57345/21]
Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I am gravely concerned by the worsening situation in Tigray and other parts of Ethiopia, including the recent escalation in military operations and declaration of a state of emergency, all of which are magnifying the ongoing humanitarian crisis. These developments are deeply worrying for the people of Ethiopia, and raise questions regarding the stability of the Horn of Africa region as a whole.
Through our bilateral engagements, as well as within the European Union and at the UN Security Council, Ireland continues to advocate for urgent and unimpeded humanitarian access, a negotiated ceasefire, and political dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict.
I am alarmed by the conflict’s impact on civilians, including harrowing reports of widespread and ongoing sexual violence, and other serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Accountability for violations of international law committed by all parties, including as described in the recent joint Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights/Ethiopian Human Rights Commission report, is essential.
There has been a shocking rise in hate speech, arbitrary arrests and detentions, including of UN staff, and other acts likely to fuel tensions. Human rights, democracy and fundamental freedoms are universal and inalienable values that States must uphold. No individual should be deprived of their liberty without legal authority, or without necessary procedural protections.
It is clear there can be no military solution to this crisis. I strongly support the efforts of African Union Envoy, former Nigerian President Obasanjo, and by President Kenyatta of Kenya to mediate a way forward.
Ireland has been to the fore of efforts to address the conflict at the Security Council. On 5 November, we secured agreement on the first Council statement in six months on the situation, which called for a cessation of hostilities and ceasefire negotiations, alongside respect of international humanitarian law, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, the re-establishment of public services, and the scaling up of humanitarian assistance.
We continue to push for a strong and constructive EU response to the crisis. At the Foreign Affairs Council in October and again last week, Minister Coveney emphasised the need to ensure humanitarian access, to halt the fighting, and to incentivise dialogue —including through possible use of restrictive measures if required.
As the government blockade continues, famine-like conditions are being reported in Tigray and over 6.5 million people in northern Ethiopia are in need of humanitarian assistance. To date, Ireland has provided over €4.4 million in humanitarian aid to Tigray and Amhara and for refugees in neighbouring Sudan. We will continue to prioritise humanitarian need while this crisis persists.
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