Minister Affirms Important Role of Small Nations in World Affairs

Ms Liz O'Donnell has said that she believes that "small countries such as Ireland can make a real difference in asserting the values of solidarity and justice in the world and in seeking to strengthen the role of international institutions in responding to these needs." The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs was speaking at the Humbert Summer School in Ballina today (Friday 15 August) on the theme of the role of small nations in world affairs.

She told the Summer School that "Ireland's membership of the [European] Union, by definition, changes the shape of our relations with the rest of the World but it does not mean we do not have a distinctive role of our own to play or that we should not express strongly held convictions, whether within the Union itself or at the United Nations or elsewhere."

The Minister also said that if changes are needed in these institutions, Ireland should speak out and say this. "The role of the UN as the paramount democratic forum in world affairs must be strengthened and enhanced in the coming years. Secretary General Koffi Annan has made an excellent start in his recent reform proposals to restructure and modernise many UN institutions. Ireland has warmly welcome those proposals and hope that all UN member States will support the Secretary General's package at the forthcoming General Assembly. The United Nations is far from perfect but as a safety net for crisis and conflict, in its development programmes, in establishing global norms and standards, it is irreplaceable. The UN is, in the end, about democracy in international affairs and it is the place where all nations - large or small - sit as co-equals with the right for their voice to be heard."

Ms O'Donnell advocated "a solidarity that regards it as unacceptable to have a system of global apartheid in which developed countries become richer and least developed countries remain trapped in poverty. We need a solidarity that regards violation of human rights or the repression of democracy, wherever this happens, as unacceptable and requiring international censure. We need a solidarity that combats unacceptable levels of poverty; that seeks to prevent eruption of conflicts before CNN rushes to report riots or starvation; that regards the resources of the planet as the shared inheritance of each human being, rich or poor, whether living in New York or Paris, Lesotho or Western Samoa."

"Our inter-dependence as nations and peoples is a fact of life but we have yet to fully develop the consequences of this inter-dependence - economic, social and political - or at an international level to give practical institutional expression, through the United Nations and other international organisations, to its full implications." The Minister of State with Responsibility for Development Cooperation and Human Rights told the Humbert School that two examples of this from her own few weeks as a Minister come to mind. "Burma and North Korea are two countries requiring a clear international response in different ways from the international community." she said. "In Burma, unacceptable and gross violations of human rights requires the strongest possible international response. The Irish Government fully supports the existing EU measures in force against SLORC - the State Law and Order Restoration Council - and we will actively support additional measures at the next discussion of the EU position on Burma in September.

North Korea is a country experiencing severe famine and starvation. I believe the international community must respond positively and vigorously. Ireland has already given over £600,000 in emergency assistance. We will continue to follow the situation closely to see if further humanitarian assistance is required."

Ms O'Donnell said that "as Minister of State with special responsibility for human rights, I want to see Ireland play a strong and active role in the protection of human rights around the world. Sometimes this may hurt our interests in the short term but to be an active friend to the rights of people needing our support is, ultimately, the best foundation for advancing international peace and good order. Respecting human rights is not about abstract goals or eloquent speeches, neither is it simply a cheque-writing exercise. It is about doing things in politics which respect the dignity and worth of each human being. It is about funding schemes such as the training of judges in Rwanda or Albania; putting in place structural aids to good governance. It means capacity building in developing countries, and countries recovering from the trauma of war and genocide."

Ms O'Donnell concluded by saying that "as Ireland, its people and politicians, continue to acquire increasing confidence and knowledge in the role we can and do play in the wider world, I am convinced that the opportunity for small countries such as Ireland to be advocates of reason, of fairness, of justice in international relations is now greater then it has ever been."Top