85. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that have been taken by her Department to ensure human rights compliance by Indonesia in respect of West Papua, during negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58490/26]

The promotion and protection of universal human rights is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Ireland consistently advocates for the protection of civilians in areas of political instability and monitors areas where an escalation in human rights has occurred.

The Embassy of Ireland in Indonesia regularly meets with and supports civil society organisations in Indonesia working on a range of priorities, particularly in relation to human rights. This includes actively engaging with Human Rights Defenders, including those from the Papua region, whilst closely monitoring the human rights situation there and any reports of violence arising from the area.

The recently concluded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the EU and Indonesia is a broad ranging, rules-based trade and investment agreement which will serve as a dynamic platform for long term cooperation between the EU and Indonesia. During the negotiations, civil society organisations were given a platform to raise their concerns and assessments were undertaken to the impact of the agreement on human rights and other important parameters. The CEPA as it stands contains legally binding commitments on core labour standards and designates the Paris Climate Agreement an “essential element” of the deal. There is a dedicated Protocol on Palm Oil, which links trade access to compliance with EU rules against deforestation, touching directly on land rights in indigenous communities. A Civil Society Forum gives NGOs from both sides a formal voice in how the agreement is implemented.

I believe that this agreement will have meaningful benefits, not just for the EU, but also for the Indonesian people, while containing provisions on human rights.