Minister Dermot Ahern Welcomes Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Darfur

Minister Dermot Ahern Welcomes Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Darfur

Ireland Instrumental in Push for Special Session on Darfur

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, TD, has welcomed the convening of a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva tomorrow (Tuesday) to consider the urgent humanitarian and human rights situation in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The Minister said: “Ireland has been instrumental in pushing for such a Special Session of the Human Rights Council to consider the urgent situation in Darfur.”

“The Special Session will provide an invaluable opportunity to highlight the ongoing serious human rights abuses taking place as a result of the Darfur conflict and to press for strong steps to be taken to address the situation.”

“The Special Session has been convened at the initiative of the European Union, following a call for such a session by UN Secretary General Annan on 29 November, and twenty-nine of the forty-seven members of the Council have formally supported the move.”

“Ireland, which is not currently a member of the Human Rights Council, will make a national statement to the Special Session which will also hear contributions from other member and non-member States, UN agencies and NGOs concerned with the situation in Darfur.”

Minister Ahern also emphasised the importance of the Human Rights Council remaining engaged with the current situation in Darfur. “I therefore would fully  support the call for a special assessment mission, to be composed of independent and appropriately qualified members, to visit the region as a matter of urgency and to report back to the Council at its next regular session”, stated the Minister.   

The Minister also welcomed plans for the convening of a NGO Forum in conjunction with the Special Session which will allow victims of human rights abuses in Darfur, and particularly young children, to publicise their experiences. “It is important that those who have been in the forefront of the harrowing conflict in Darfur should have the opportunity to relate their experiences. Ireland is pleased to be associated with the holding of this event.”

Note to Editors:

The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) will convene a Special Session on Darfur on Tuesday.

In parallel to the Special Session, a NGO Forum will take place. This Forum will be attended by human rights defenders from Darfur and prominent international human rights organisations.  It aims to draw further attention to the situation on the ground in Darfur.   Funding from Irish Aid for the NGO Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH) will be used by that organisation to support the attendance of human rights defenders from Darfur.

Ireland has also engaged with the Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark to offer general support for this side event. 

ENDS +++

December 2006

Press Office