102 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will provide financial support for the Amnesty International office in Pristina, Kosovo, which was established to collect evidence and conduct research into past human rights violations and current ones against Serbs, Roma, Muslim, Slavs and ethnic Turks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26399/99]

No approach for Government funds has been made by Amnesty International to support the operation of its office in Pristina.

Amnesty International, as one of the leading worldwide voluntary movements which work to prevent some of the gravest violations by Governments of people's fundamental human rights, is zealous in protecting its impartiality and independence. In these circumstances, Amnesty International, neither seeks nor accepts funds from Governments. All contributions are strictly controlled by guidelines laid down by Amnesty's International Council. These state, inter alia,“Amnesty does not seek or accept Government funds for its campaigning work under any circumstances; such funds would be accepted for purposes such as human rights education”.