Human Rights

Tuesday, 5 November 2024

Questions (82)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

82. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government has taken to ensure that EU dialogue with the Gulf states and the Gulf Co-operation Council included respect for and accountability to international human rights law; the reason these matters were not reflected in the joint statement of the EU-GCC dialogue, and in particular, if the supply of weapons to warring parties in Sudan and the UN Security Council arms embargo on Darfur was raised during the dialogue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44613/24]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The recent first EU-GCC Summit meeting was an important step in further developing the EU's relationship with an important group of countries in a volatile area in the EU's immediate neighbourhood. The joint statement was an agreed document between all participants, rather than a reflection of every view expressed.

A number of leaders, including the Taoiseach speaking on behalf of Ireland, underlined that human rights and respect for international law are fundamental values for the EU, and an essential feature of dialogue with the GCC countries. This has always been Ireland's position. These are issues which are usually discussed in bilateral dialogues with the individual states, since the GCC as an body has no competence in this area, and the issues differ from state to state. The EU has established formal regular human rights dialogues with a number of GCC partners, and hopes to further extend this practice.

Ireland is deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Sudan. It was one of a number of regional conflicts and situations of concern addressed in interventions at the Summit.