Peadar Tóibín
Question:11. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps his Department is taking to condemn and seek an end to human rights abuses in China. [19705/23]
View answerHuman Rights
Questions (11)
Written answers
Ireland has a wide-ranging relationship with China, which covers political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links. The Government takes a holistic approach to this engagement; Ireland's relationship with China is not considered separately from our values and priorities when it comes to human rights. In this context, Ireland consistently raises points of concern directly with the Chinese authorities, as a member of the European Union, and in appropriate multilateral fora.
In February this year, I met Wang Yi, China's most senior diplomat, who serves as the Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Foreign Affairs Commission. At that meeting, I raised the assessment report on the situation of human rights in Xinjiang published by the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, underlining the importance Ireland attaches to engagement on this matter at the Human Rights Council. Ireland welcomed publication last year of the assessment by the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding human rights concerns in Xinjiang, and called on China to implement its recommendations and the subsequent Special Procedures recommendations. The assessment finds, inter alia, that the scale of the arbitrary and discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity”.
My colleague, the Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications, Eamon Ryan, visited China for St Patrick’s Day. In addition to a climate focus, he raised human rights during in his meeting with his counterpart in Beijing.
At the UN Human Rights Council in March this year, Ireland published a national statement for what is known as the Item 4 debate, underlining our concern regarding ongoing restrictions on civic space in China, and the treatment of minorities, including Uyghurs and Tibetans.
Ireland continues to monitor the human rights situation in Hong Kong, and to raise our serious concern regarding the implementation of the National Security Law there.
At the EU level, the Human Rights Dialogue with China is the primary formal framework through which Ireland and other Member States can engage China and urge it to take steps to improve human rights. In the dialogue on 17 February, the EU raised a number of issues including freedom of religion and belief, rights of minorities, freedom of expression and freedom from arbitrary detention.
Questions Nos. 12 and 13 answered orally.
Official Engagements
Questions (14)
John Lahart
Question:14. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent meeting with the Serbian Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/23]
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Prime Minister Ana Brnabic visited Ireland from 19 to 21 April, her first visit here as Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia. I was pleased to welcome her to Iveagh House on the afternoon of 20 April, where we had a wide-ranging exchange. Prime Minister Brnabic also met the Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment during her visit.
We spoke, in particular, about Serbia’s EU candidacy. I underlined Ireland’s strong support for enlargement and the European perspective of all the Western Balkans states. We discussed the economic and social benefits our country has enjoyed since we joined the EU fifty years ago. Prime Minister Brnabic expressed a keen interest in Ireland’s economic transformation, noting her Government’s investments in education and the digital economy. We agreed this is an area where we can share knowledge, which will have mutual benefits and serve to support Serbia’s EU future.
I raised our concern over Serbia’s failure to align with EU sanctions on Russia, noting how for many partners this calls into question Serbia's full commitment to EU values. Prime Minister Brnabic stressed Serbia’s condemnation of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, as exemplified in its support for UN resolutions, and shared her perspectives on some of the challenges of the accession process, as viewed from Belgrade.
We discussed Serbia’s relations with Kosovo, and the latest developments in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. Following last month’s agreement in Ohrid, I stressed that there is now a real opportunity for progress, underlining the importance of good faith implementation on both sides. In that respect, we discussed the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and Senator Mitchell’s remarkable speech last week on the challenge of its negotiation and the bravery needed to deliver on its promise. While conscious of the significant differences between the respective processes, I expressed a hope that this might serve as a positive example for Serbia and Kosovo of what is possible. We will continue to support them in that process.
Questions Nos. 15 and 16 answered orally.
Official Engagements
Questions (17)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:17. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with President Joe Biden and his administration during his recent visit to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19774/23]
View answerWritten answers
The visit by President Biden to Ireland was a truly historic occasion which reinforced the close bonds and historic links between our two countries. I accompanied President Biden to Co. Louth, which included a visit to his ancestral home in the Cooley Peninsula and engagements with community groups in Dundalk. In Carlingford Castle, we saw from where James Finnegan, the President's ancestor, emigrated. We reflected on the impact of the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement, discussing the Shared Island Initiative and progress on Narrow Water Bridge. President Biden was warmly welcomed by the people of Dundalk, visiting local businesses and meeting local representatives. The President also met with young people benefiting from projects supported by the International Fund for Ireland. The IFI, with the continued support of the United States, has contributed greatly to the process of reconciliation between communities in Northern Ireland, and on the island of Ireland. President Biden’s programme in Dublin included a ceremonial welcome at Áras an Uachtaráin; a meeting with the Taoiseach at Farmleigh House; an address to the Joint Houses of the Oireachtas, where the President also met with all party leaders; and an Official Dinner in Dublin Castle. I had a bilateral exchange with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Áras an Uachtaráin, where we discussed foreign policy matters of shared interest and concern. I was also pleased to meet with the political delegation accompanying the President to Ireland, led by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, while in Co. Mayo for the President’s address in Ballina. This group included several longstanding Friends of Ireland, who have worked hard over many years in support of the peace process and to enhance the vital relationship between the United States and Ireland. It was particularly fitting that this visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. President Biden has always been a friend of Ireland, and has, over many decades, actively supported the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. The bipartisan engagement by successive American Administrations and by Congress, and the support of the Irish diaspora in the United States, have been indispensable, and continues to underpin peace and economic progress on the island of Ireland.
Northern Ireland
Questions (18, 42, 64)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:18. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has any recent discussion with the British government in relation to Northern Ireland legacy issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19707/23]
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Brendan Smith
Question:42. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent discussions with the British government in relation to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill; if he has outlined again that it is unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19776/23]
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Cormac Devlin
Question:64. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on his engagement with the United Kingdom government in relation to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19710/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 42 and 64 together.
The Government continues to consistently communicate its deep concerns about the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill currently before the UK parliament.
I have engaged with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on legacy issues at every available opportunity, including at the British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference in January and at our most recent meeting, in Belfast earlier this month. The Taoiseach also raised the Legacy Bill with Prime Minister Sunak last week following the QUB 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement Conference.
During my recent engagements with the Secretary of State, I made clear our strong view that this Bill, if implemented as it stands, would not be compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and would damage reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland. It is not fit for purpose, is not supported by political parties or civil society in Northern Ireland. We have consistently maintained that any way forward on legacy must be based on agreed human rights standards, with victims at its centre.
At our recent meeting, I asked the Secretary of State to pause the progress of the current Bill, to allow a return to a collective approach.
In a month when we have marked the achievements of the Good Friday Agreement, we are reminded of our shared responsibility and our role as co-guarantors. The Good Friday Agreement says that we can best honour those who died, or were injured, and their families through a firm dedication to "reconciliation, tolerance and mutual trust, and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all". This has framed the Government’s approach to the legacy of the past: the needs of victims must be core and all relevant human rights obligations must be met. The needs and expectations of people who suffered through the violence of the Troubles are no different whether you live in Belfast, in Derry, in Belturbet, or in Dublin. Dealing effectively with the past will assist the achievement of a more reconciled society.
There has been consistent opposition to the UK Bill since it was published, and this opposition continues to grow internationally.
The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has, on four occasions, in June, September and December 2022, and again last month, expressed its serious concerns about the Bill and its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights. While the process itself is confidential, my officials have briefed Council of Europe member states regularly on our concerns, and have made the Government's views clear in formal sessions.
In January and February, the UK Government published proposed amendments to its Bill. However, the Committee of Ministers in their decision last month expressed the “serious concern that those amendments do not sufficiently allay the concerns about the Bill”.
Other major international human rights actors have also made their views known. We have heard the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights express his concerns with the Bill, in particular its immunity scheme, and calling on the UK to reconsider its approach.
I have spoken directly with and listened to victims support groups and individual families who lost loved ones. They are all very clear that as the UK’s Legacy Bill progresses, the prospect that current mechanisms for truth and justice could be closed increases their anxiety. Every family deserves and is legally entitled to an effective investigation and to access to justice.
As I stated in Belfast last week “If we are to truly remember and honour the achievement of the Agreement, then we must all be honest in assessing the work that is still to be done; and the need for us to renew the spirit of dialogue which has been central to every advance from the earliest meetings thirty years ago up to today.”
This is a point I have repeatedly made to my counterparts in the British Government and will continue to do so. Once again, I urge them to pause this legislation and return to a partnership approach on this vital issue that goes to the heart of the process of reconciliation.
Ukraine War
Questions (19, 61)
Brendan Griffin
Question:19. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will propose further measures to target Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19894/23]
View answer
Barry Cowen
Question:61. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any further sanctions are planned against Russia for its illegal war against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19711/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 61 together.
Ireland has consistently supported the adoption of strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal actions in Ukraine. The EU has adopted ten sanctions packages in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Measures introduced include asset freezes, travel bans, trade restrictions, the deSwifting of Russian banks, broadcasting bans and other extensive measures. These sanctions are having an impact on Russia and it is important that this pressure is maintained.
Discussions are now underway on an eleventh sanctions package, with the European Commission expected to present a proposal in the coming weeks. Ireland welcomes and is participating fully in these discussions.
It is expected that the eleventh package will include a focus on the strengthening the enforcement of existing measures and tackling circumvention. David O’Sullivan’s work as International Special Envoy for the Implementation of EU Sanctions will be central to efforts to strengthen implementation and addressing issues of circumvention in third countries.
Human Rights
Questions (20)
Gino Kenny
Question:20. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that human rights campaigners that will be outside the AGM of a company (details supplied) in Ballsbridge on 28 April 2023 to highlight the appalling impact of the company's operations in Colombia on the land rights of the indigenous Misak people, on the environment and on human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19869/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland takes a very active role in supporting human rights defenders, indigenous communities and civil society space in Colombia. Engagement on these issues is a strong component of our bilateral relations with Colombia and our support to the Colombian Peace Process.
Since the signing of the Colombian Peace Agreement in 2016, Ireland has provided over €20 million in funding towards its implementation. We were founding members of both the EU and UN Trust Funds for peace, and have engaged in a Lesson-Sharing Programme with Colombia around peacebuilding in Northern Ireland.
We fully support the Colombian Government’s new “Total Peace” policy, which aims to consolidate and extend peace to all parts of the country where violence persists. Ireland also fully supports the efforts of the Colombian Government to implement land reforms in order to improve equality of land access in Colombia, and to protect the environment.
In reference to the issues raised by the Deputy, my Department has engaged closely with the communities and the company involved. This is a complex and multi-faceted situation, with multiple viewpoints at play.
Officials from the Embassy of Ireland in Colombia have visited the region in question and met with stakeholders, most recently in March, to support the facilitation of a dialogue process. This dialogue is proceeding through engagement locally with all relevant stakeholders, including the communities and company involved, the Government in Colombia, and non-governmental organisations.
I would encourage all parties to engage constructively in this dialogue process. I hope that this will result in a long-term and inclusive solution that respects the rights of all concerned.
I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to closely engage with all parties to these issues, both in Ireland and on the ground through our Embassy in Colombia, as well as in close collaboration with the EU Delegation in Bogotá.