John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The oppressive system of male guardianship within Saudi Arabia is well-documented and restricts women from enjoying the most basic of civil rights, which are taken for granted in this State and in most European countries. Women must gain permission from a male guardian for many of the most mundane and everyday decisions and actions. While Ireland has worked alongside other EU member states to ensure human rights issues in Saudi Arabia are raised with the authorities there, it does not appear to be having the desired effect. I appreciate and welcome that the Minister will take a more direct approach with the embassy here. However, as a nation set to take its seat on the UN Security Council, we also need to utilise our position and status to bring the world's focus onto the plight of oppressed human rights defenders across the globe, particularly in regimes such as that of Saudi Arabia.

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