Dáil Éireann - Volume 494 - 30 September, 1998

Written Answers - Human Rights Abuses.

Mrs. Owen Mrs. Owen

204. Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he has taken to express Ireland's concern about the atrocities which are continuing in Algeria and the plans, if any, he has to co-sponsor a motion on Algeria at the UN General Assembly this year. [17450/98]

Mr. Broughan Mr. Broughan

212. Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he is taking in relation to an investigation by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights of the ongoing civil war in Algeria. [18031/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews) David Andrews

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews): I propose to answer Questions Nos. 204 and 212 together.

377

I have been most concerned with the on-going situation in Algeria, particularly the continuation of appalling massacres involving innocent civilians including children, since I took office. As the House will recall, I visited Algeria last December and met President Zeroual and leading [377] government ministers and political figures in this context. Since then I have met the Algerian Foreign Minister, Mr. Attaf, on two occasions — once at Palermo in June during a meeting of European Union and Mediterranean Foreign Ministers and the second time at the United Nations last week at New York. On all occasions I have discussed the current situation in Algeria, including the massacres, and urged the need to end the tragic situation in that country.

At our meeting last week, Mr. Attaf and I discussed the situation in the light of the decision of Mr. Zeroual to resign as of next February which will necessitate a presidential election. Mr. Attaf told me that there would be a deepening of the reform process leading to further democratisation, greater pluralism and the revitalisation of the economy. He also stated that there had been progress in the fight against terrorism. He spoke of closer ties between the EU and Algeria following the Palermo meeting and said that he would next be discussing the matter with the troika of European Foreign Ministers next month in Vienna. I renewed the invitation to him to visit Ireland for further talks and he agreed to come subject to the other demands on his schedule.

In my address to the United Nations General Assembly last week, I highlighted the problems arising from the abuse of human rights and the need for concerted international action to address them. I will consider further the possibility of co-sponsoring a resolution on Algeria, taking into account, inter alia, the outcome of the session of the Commission on Human Rights last March when it was clear that the international community was not prepared to support such a resolution. The commission has itself not carried out any investigation of the situation there due to the refusal by the Algerian authorities to allow UN investigators to visit that country. This is also a matter for concern.

I would like to take this opportunity again to assure the House that I will continue to pay close attention to the evolution of the situation in Algeria and to raise the plight of the Algerian people both in international fora and in bilateral contacts with the Algerian Government.

Mrs. Owen Mrs. Owen

205. Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he has taken to denounce the ruling army council regime in Burma for its continued harassment of Aung San Suu Kyi; and the plans, if any, he has to raise this matter at both EU and UN level. [17451/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews) David Andrews

378

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews): I am greatly concerned at the continuing abuse of the human rights of the Burmese people by the military regime currently in power in Rangoon and in particular by the recent incidents involving the freedom of movement of the NLD leader and Nobel laureate, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. In my statement to the General Assembly of the United Nations last week, I drew attention to the human [378] rights situation in Burma and urged the need for international action.

The Government's position in relation to Burma is based on the common position adopted by the European Union in October 1996. The common position, which is due for renewal next month, expresses the European Union's alarm at the continuing deterioration of the political situation in Burma, including the restrictions imposed on fundamental rights of freedom such as speech, movement and assembly. It also urges the State Peace and Development Council in Rangoon to restore democracy without delay and respect human rights.

I have indicated to our EU partners our support for increased pressure on the Burmese Government by strengthening and broadening EU sanctions to include aspects of trade, tourism and investment. The EU General Affairs Council will be considering further possible measures.

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland supported the adoption of a resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar in April 1998 at the 54th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. This resolution expressed the concern of the international community at the continuing violations of human rights in Myanmar and called upon the Government of Myanmar to guarantee an end to violations of the right to life and the integrity of the human being and to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government will continue to avail of every opportunity to work for an improvement of the human rights situation in Burma and to assist the democratic movement in that country.

Dáil Éireann 494 Written Answers Human Rights Abuses.

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