Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue which has justifiably elicited much concern in Ireland and internationally. Ireland is strongly opposed to capital punishment under all circumstances and we continue to seek its universal and permanent abolition. Ireland has consistently called on all states to immediately adopt a moratorium on executions, with a view to eventual abolition, most recently at a high level panel on the issue at the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council in March 2014. Abolition of the death penalty is also a core value for the EU, which is incorporated into EU political and human rights strategies with our bilateral partners.

The verdict of the Minya court, which in March issued 529 death sentences on individuals convicted of a variety of offences, including the murder of a policeman, after a two day trial, and then on 28 April condemned a further 683 defendants to death for a similar set of charges, is extremely troubling and poses very serious questions for the conduct of the rule of law in Egypt. The commutation of 492 of the earlier capital verdicts to life imprisonment does little to assuage concerns over the rights of the defendants and the current operation of the Egyptian justice system. While Ireland supports the separation of powers under Egypt's constitution, we also stress that the Egyptian authorities have a basic duty to ensure that constitutional protections of human rights are upheld, as is the rule of law and observance of binding international obligations to protect fundamental rights.

It is impossible to see how these trials could be regarded as in any real way meeting basic requirements of due process and the right to a fair trial, with most of those accused tried in absentiaand many deprived of adequate legal representation or, indeed, any opportunity to present a defence. The swiftness of these extraordinary trials contrasts very sharply to the failure to date to ensure accountability in the many instances of security force responsibility for the killing of hundreds of protestors last summer.

I hope that all possible appeal procedures will be employed to review urgently these appalling sentences. Last month, the Tánaiste made clear to this House our strong condemnation of the conduct of the original trial and the mass death sentences passed. Earlier today, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with Egyptian embassy representatives to reiterate Ireland's strong concerns about both of these trials, our opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and our urgent request to the Egyptian authorities to review these verdicts and ensure that Egypt abides by its obligations under international law and fully protects the basic human rights of its citizens.

There has been widespread international criticism of the verdicts issued in Minya, including by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who described the latest verdict as outrageous. EU High Representative Cathy Ashton, commenting on 29 April, referred to the mass trials as being "clearly in breach of international human rights law". The High Representative also raised this case directly with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy when they met in Brussels last month. International concern relates not just to the lack of due process and failure to comply with international human rights standards but equally the highly damaging effect which these verdicts may well have on efforts to promote greater inclusivity and overall reconciliation within Egypt.

Ireland and our EU partners will continue to closely monitor developments in regard to the Minya trials as the appeals process continues. This will include active consideration of what further diplomatic steps can be taken, including in Cairo, to relay our serious concerns and urge review by the Egyptian authorities.

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