Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 90 together.

Prisoners' issues are among the human rights issues which my Department follows in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict and raises with the Israeli authorities both bilaterally and through EU-level contacts. We have paid particular attention to the questions of administrative detention, treatment of minors and the increasing use of prosecutions to suppress legitimate protest. Ireland also provides funding to the Palestinian NGO, Addameer, which monitors and works on prisoner issues. We have also raised some of these issues internationally, including at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Of course, my officials do not, and cannot, follow up every allegation of mistreatment received. The incident referred to was a large-scale search of the prison for contraband material. Little is known about it in detail, although I am aware of allegations of mistreatment. I know that Deputies have seen the same material, which was circulated by the Palestinian mission.

It has been reported that Israeli authorities have consciously decided to introduce a tougher regime in the prisons in recent weeks, including restricted conditions for prisoners and ending the separation of prisoners from opposing factions. I have no basis as yet to comment on this or on the specific allegations referred to by the Deputy. Prison searches and other measures are not unknown in other jurisdictions. However, I have not seen any security or practical rationale for such a change in policy, or any reference to similar changes being applied to Israelis who are imprisoned. Issues to do with prisoners are always sensitive for both Israelis and Palestinians, and for obvious reasons they have the potential to have a wider political impact outside the prisons.

I am also acutely conscious that similar and indeed worse criticisms could be levelled at prison conditions in many Middle Eastern countries. However, it is obvious that Palestinians imprisoned by Israel should have the same conditions and protections as Israel considers proper for its own citizens in detention.

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