Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We all got it this week. On the Human Rights Council, I understand there will be a special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran on 24 November. I understand also that we have observer status at that special session. Will Iran be represented at that? On the UN Commission on the Status of Women, there have been calls by countries, including America, to have Iran removed from it. I do not agree with that straight up because Afghanistan is represented on that, along with other countries that a have terrible record in their treatment of women. Has the Minister a viewpoint on that?

Returning to the first question on Palestine, we must have a credible, consistent approach to all countries when they breach human rights law. It is extremely important. I took back the weasel words. They were not necessary and I should not have used them, but we need a consistent voice and we are not consistent.

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