Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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130. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of forced evictions by the Cambodian government at the Angkor Wat complex; if Ireland’s UNESCO ambassador has discussed the matter; the Government’s position on such evictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6132/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of the reports that families have been relocated from their homes in the area of Angkor Wat.

We have taken note of the Amnesty International report ‘Nobody Wants to Leave Their Home’ published in November 2023, and the response from UNESCO to the report. We have also taken note of the statement from independent human rights experts under the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council expressing concern and urging the implementation of a human rights based conservation approach.

The issues involved were discussed by UNESCO members, including Ireland, at the 46th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) in New Delhi in July 2024. The WHC adopted a decision that expressed concern about third-party reports of possible forced population displacements at Angkor Wat, recommended the review and implementation of sustainable development and poverty alleviation policies outlined in the Angkor Heritage Management Plan 2013, and requested that the Cambodian authorities invite a joint reactive monitoring mission by the World Heritage Centre, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). The matter is due to be taken up by the 47th Session of the WHC in Bulgaria in July 2025.

Ireland’s Embassy in Hanoi is accredited to Cambodia and regularly raises human rights concerns with the Cambodian authorities, as part of our dialogue with them. Irish Aid supports a number of development programmes that tackle poverty and support communities across Cambodia, including in the region of Siem Reap where Angkor Wat is located. Current programmes managed by our Embassy in Hanoi include the removal of landmines, support for land rights for indigenous communities, working with farmers to improve agriculture production, tackling the impacts of climate change through new technologies, improving nutrition especially for new-born babies and supporting young people to access better education.