IRELAND was well represented at the first Asia Europe Non Governmental Organisations conference this week, writes Brid Brennan from Bangkok. Irish women were among the 350 participants from over 100 organisations and NGOs.
Ireland was one of the four urgent areas of conflict raised, along, with East Timor, Burma and Bosnia.
A unanimous resolution passed at the conference condemned 18, months of inaction by the British, government and called on it to "immediately establish inclusive all party negotiations which should lead to a comprehensive political" settlement and include burning", issues such as policing, release of political prisoners, demilitarisation of all parties in the conflict and adherence to international human rights standards".
This was included in the final document and press release of the forum.
The opening session of the conference was addressed by Ms Bernie Malone MEP, vice chairwoman of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Committee.
Ms Caitriona Ruane of the Centre for Research and Documentation in Belfast outlined the root causes of the British Irish conflict and the need for inclusive unconditional negotiations.
The impact of European integration on women and employment in Europe was explored by Ms Ursula Barry of the Dublin Institute of Technology.
Ms Ma ire Dorgan of Cork Combat Poverty Resource Project participated as a member of the committee to draft the final conference declaration.
The aim of the NGO conference was to broaden the agenda of the Asem (Asia Europe Meeting) inter governmental summit which began yesterday, also in Bangkok.
Criticising the narrow focus of the Asem agenda on economic growth via trade and investment, the Asia Europe NGO conference put forward an alternative perspective based on respect for human rights.
The conference condemned violations of human rights both in Europe and Asia and was addressed by Ms Carmel Budiardjo on behalf of Jose Ramos Horta, the resistance leader and former foreign minister of East Timor, who was denied entry to Thailand for the event.
She praised the Portuguese government for insisting that Fast Timor be put on the Asem agenda, and singled out the Irish Government for its courageous stance opposing the Indonesian occupation of Fast Timor.