Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the situation in Bahrain was discussed at the meeting of European Foreign Ministers this week; if conclusions were agreed on this matter; and the steps the EU will now take to push for an end to the military trials of doctors and ongoing suppression of fundamental human rights in Bahrain. [17142/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The human rights situation in Bahrain was not discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 June but it was raised at last week's European Council on 23-24 June which the Taoiseach attended. Ireland succeeded at the European Council in having the current unsatisfactory human rights situation in Bahrain addressed in the formal conclusions adopted, with the final agreed Declaration expressing the European Council's concern about the process surrounding the trials and sentencing of opposition members in Bahrain and encouraging Bahrain to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Taoiseach spoke about the situation in Bahrain at the European Council and in support of the efforts led by Ireland to include such a reference in the final Declaration. I have already made clear on a number of occasions, including in this House, my own deep concern and that of the Irish Government and people at the current human rights situation in Bahrain. This includes condemning the severity of the life sentences imposed on a number of human rights activists in Bahrain last week, including Mr. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, the former coordinator for the Irish NGO, Frontline. I believe these harsh sentences should be revoked and all those who are charged with nothing more than peaceful protest should be released without further delay.

Ireland's concerns are also shared by EU Partners with the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 May having also adopted strong conclusions calling for the fair and transparent administration of justice and access for independent observers to ongoing legal proceedings, including in cases involving charges against medical professionals. The need for Bahrain to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and its accountability regarding allegations of human rights violations including reported cases of torture and ill-treatment, was also underlined in the Council's Conclusions.

The EU has also formally raised its concerns directly with the Bahraini authorities in Manama on 15 May and again on 19 June regarding the human rights situation and the repressive actions taken against medical staff. With regard to the trials of the medical staff, the EU made clear that it was troubled that civilians were being tried in circumstances closely resembling those of military courts and urged the Bahraini authorities to respect the medical personnel's right to a fair trial and permit EU representatives and international or domestic organisations to observe the trials. The EU also requested the Bahraini authorities to carry out a full investigation of alleged and documented human rights abuses committed during the past months, whomever the perpetrator, and immediately release all political prisoners. The EU also raised the case of Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, prior to his sentencing, at Ireland's request.

Bilaterally, we have also made our views known in the fullest terms to the Bahraini authorities. The Irish Ambassador in Riyadh met on 20 June with his Bahraini counterpart to inform him of the Government's deep concerns and to request the Ambassador to convey immediately to his authorities our view that all those who are charged with nothing more than peaceful protest should be released without further delay. Ireland will continue to raise human rights in Bahrain, both bilaterally and in coordination with our EU partners, at all appropriate occasions.