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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 87, 104 and 105 together.

While the protests in Iran started with the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September, many more young women and men have died since, simply due to the fact they were exercising their fundamental right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. I wish to extend my condolences to the loved ones of all those who have died during the protests. The protestor's slogan of "Women, Life, Freedom" is clear and I know it is a message that has resonated with many people in Ireland and across the EU. The slogan was seen during the World Cup in a banner behind the Iranian goal at their first match.

In addition to my contacts with the Iranian foreign minister in September and October, as I said earlier, I summoned the Iranian ambassador on 20 October and condemned Iran’s oppression of peaceful protests and supply of weapons to Russia. I made it clear that Ireland expects Iran to uphold its international obligations, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These instruments enshrine the rights of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and the fundamental and inalienable rights of women and girls.

The EU has significantly expanded its human rights sanctions regime to target those involved in the death of Mahsa Amini and the response of the security forces to protestors. At the meetings of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council in October and November, the EU adopted sanctions against a further 40 individuals and seven entities. The EU also adopted sanctions on 20 October against Iranian individuals and entities involved in the supply of drones to Russia.

At UN level, the Security Council held a meeting on Iran’s transfer of drones to Russia on 19 October. The supply of drones to Russia is a serious violation of Iran's obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the Iranian nuclear deal. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA, Iran is prohibited from the export of drones. As Deputies know, Ireland is facilitator of Resolution 2231 and we will present our final facilitator's report in December. There will also be a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on 24 November, which I mentioned earlier, which Ireland has supported, focusing on the situation in Iran.

Officials from my Department will continue to monitor developments in Iran and to raise our concerns directly with the Iranian government. We will continue to co-ordinate closely with our partners in the EU to ensure there is a joint, co-ordinated, and clear response to the actions of the Iranian authorities across a range of issues which, whether we like it or not, are interconnected.

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