Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 71 together.

I have made clear on a number of occasions my concerns about the current human rights situation in Egypt, particularly following the events of last July which resulted in the overthrow of the elected Morsi government. I have also addressed these concerns in private conversation with my Egyptian counterpart. Those concerns are widely shared by our EU partners, as should be clear from the firmly worded conclusions on Egypt adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 February. While welcoming the adoption of the new Egyptian constitution last month, the Council deplored the absence of a fully inclusive process leading up to the referendum and also the closing of political space for dissenting opinion before and during the referendum. The Council proceeded to express its concern over the deteriorating human rights situation and the use of selective justice against the political opposition as well as deploring the deteriorating climate for the press in Egypt.

The principles and demands made in the initiative referred to in the Deputy’s question are very much in line with Irish and EU views on the current human rights situation. However, what is now critical is that Egypt must move to implement in full all of the protections of fundamental rights enshrined in its new constitution; that all legislation should comply with the constitution and be in line with Egypt’s international obligations; and that the courts and government agencies, including the security services, should uphold the constitution and the law in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.

Reports from Egypt about abuses of human rights remain of concern. Egypt does face a real threat from extremist militants and we should not ignore such problems. However, political opposition and the promotion of an active civil society should not be conflated with the threat from real terrorist activity. The toleration of dissent and peaceful opposition is essential to the functioning of democracy in all countries.

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