Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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158. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what work Ireland is doing to improve the condition of human rights in Pakistan, and to protect opposition leaders there from being unjustly arrested or harmed. [16461/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The promotion and protection of universal human rights is a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy and I can confirm that Ireland has consistently engaged with Pakistan on human rights issues, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

In the context of our bilateral relationship, Ireland's Ambassador to Pakistan visited Islamabad in November 2022 and discussed human rights issues with a number of Pakistani governmental officials. Earlier, in February 2021, she also met with Pakistan’s then Federal Minister for Human Rights, Ms Shireen Mazari. 

Most recently, Ireland engaged with Pakistan during their recent Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in January 2023. We recommended that Pakistan establish an independent inquiry into all suspected cases of enforced disappearance, and hold alleged perpetrators to account. We also recommended that Pakistan amend blasphemy legislation to avoid unjustly targeting or discriminating against religious minorities. Ireland will continue to support Pakistan’s efforts to advance human rights through this UN Human Rights Council mechanism, acknowledging progress where appropriate. 

At EU level, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr Eamon Gilmore met with Minister Mazari in February 2022, as part of a visit to reaffirm the centrality of human rights in the EU-Pakistani relationship. At the EU-Pakistan Joint Commission in October 2022, both sides discussed civil and political rights. Ireland will continue to contribute actively to the development of EU policies towards Pakistan.

The Embassy of Ireland in Turkey, which is accredited to Pakistan, continues to actively monitor political developments across Pakistan, in close consultation with the EU Delegation in Islamabad.