Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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162. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had with the officials in Myanmar since the 3 June 2022 announcement of the forthcoming execution of four political prisoners (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32982/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is unequivocal in its stance against the death penalty and the abolition of capital punishment is one of Ireland’s international priorities. I am gravely concerned by the passing of death sentences on a number of those arrested for peaceful protest and support for democracy in Myanmar.  I understand that 114 people have been sentenced to death, primarily by military courts, without the possibility of appeal.  On 13 June, Ireland addressed this issue at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Myanmar, expressing our abhorrence at this action, and reiterating our call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and all those arbitrarily detained in Myanmar. The EU also spoke at that session, calling on the Myanmar de facto authorities to apply the moratorium on executions observed since 1988. In particular, the EU called on the de facto Myanmar authorities not to carry out the death sentences announced last week, to which the Deputy is referring. At a private meeting of the United Nations Security Council on 27 May, Ireland reiterated our grave concern at the deteriorating security, human rights and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, particularly violence against civilians and the ongoing brutality of the Tatmadaw. 

As I have outlined in my previous statements on this matter, the election results of November 2020 and the sustained, large-scale popular opposition to the coup since 1 February demonstrate that the military have no mandate to govern Myanmar. The people of Myanmar have been resolute in rejecting the military coup. General Min Aung Hlaing’s self-appointment as Prime Minister is a clear attempt to normalise his position and does not reflect the democratic will of the people of Myanmar. Ireland has had no engagement or bilateral meeting with the Myanmar military.

We will continue to work with our partners in the EU, in the region, and in the context of our United Nations Security Council membership to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis, to consider further actions to restore the democratic path in Myanmar, and to protect the people of Myanmar.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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163. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has concerns regarding human rights violations at the Cerrejón mine in Colombia, given the recent decision to recommence the importation of coal from Colombia to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32926/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has a strong relationship with Colombia across many areas. Our longstanding cooperation and lesson-sharing around peacebuilding has been very successful and is a key pillar of our relationship.

As part of that relationship, Ireland takes a very active role in supporting human rights defenders, indigenous communities and civil society space in Colombia. We recognise that addressing social, land-related and environmental issues is an essential component of Colombia’s peace process, and we remain firmly committed to supporting the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement.

I am aware of human rights concerns that have been raised by civil society around the operation of the Cerrejón mine and my Department has been following these issues closely.

The Embassy of Ireland in Bogota has visited the region where the mine is located, as well as the mine itself, on two occasions. On both occasions, the Embassy interacted with all parties to the issues, including various local communities, local authorities, and the management of the mine, in order to gain a greater understanding of the circumstances. We have maintained this engagement with all stakeholders, including through the EU Delegation in Colombia.

Our assessment has been that the situation on the ground is complex. The Embassy, along with our EU partners, continues to encourage all stakeholders to engage in inclusive dialogue in order to resolve the issues.

As the Deputy refers to in his question, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has indicated to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the ESB recently ordered coal from the Cerrejon mine in order to maintain a secure coal supply.

The ESB has indicated that they work with other purchasers collectively through the Bettercoal initiative, and has highlighted that the Cerrejon mine is subject to independent assessments and that these are conducted in line with the Bettercoal Code, which establishes principles and standards to manage and mitigate the environmental, social and governance risks in coal supply chains.

In the area of business and human rights, my Department works closely with the multi-stakeholder Implementation Group for the National Plan on Business and Human Rights. This Group regularly engages with experts and considers best practice. 

I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department in Dublin and at our Embassy in Bogotá will continue to remain actively engaged on all of the above issues and to maintain close contact with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the ESB on this matter.