Written answers

Thursday, 27 January 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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232. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if international human rights organisations can continue to be coordinated to deal with human rights abuses on a worldwide scale; the extent to which this is happening at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4182/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The promotion and protection of human rights is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland and consequently Ireland is a strong contributor to strengthening efforts by the United Nations, Council of Europe, and European Union to eliminate human rights violations.

In this regard, international human rights organisations play a critical role in identifying, monitoring, and responding to violations of human rights across the globe. Against the backdrop of increasing restrictions, it is essential that human rights organisations can continue to play an unhindered role in protecting human rights at all levels.

Ireland is therefore a strong supporter of international human rights organisations, both in terms of our funding, including in response to conflict and other humanitarian catastrophes, and in terms of our coordination and engagement with them in key fora such as at the Human Rights Council and during our term on the UN Security Council.

At the Human Rights Council, Ireland in coordination with international human rights organisations and a cross regional group of Member States, leads on a resolution most recently renewed in July 2021 to ensure the continued protection of civil society space as a human rights concern. In September 2021, as part of a small core group, Ireland led a successful resolution condemning acts of intimidation or reprisals against Human Rights Defenders engaging with the United Nations.

Ireland remains fully committed to supporting the participation and coordination of international human rights organisations with the Human Rights Council, Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies, and as key interlocutors with the Universal Periodic Review process, and indeed as key partners with the European Union and in other relevant fora.

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