Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2012
51 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the issue of EU policy towards Uzbeki cotton and child labour use; the action he has advocated regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2702/12]
View answerThe most recent meeting of the EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council took place in Brussels on 14 November 2011. During the Cooperation Council, the EU raised a wide range of issues concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uzbekistan. Prior to the meeting, all twenty-seven Member States of the European Union, including Ireland, mandated the EU representatives at the Cooperation Council to raise with the Uzbek side the question of child labour in Uzbekistan and the Uzbek commitment to honouring its International Labour Organisation (ILO) obligations. The EU efforts in this respect are recorded in the Press release issued at the end of the meeting:
"The EU took note that Uzbekistan had ratified the ILO conventions against child labour and had adopted a national action plan to implement the conventions. The EU called upon Uzbekistan to engage with (the) ILO on implementation of the conventions, including through the ILO visit."
This issue will remain on the agenda for EU dialogue with Uzbekistan in the field of human rights and I have asked my officials to ensure that Ireland plays an active role in preparing the EU position for future EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Councils.
