Dáil debates

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

10:10 am

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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6. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2309/14]

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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We all want to promote Irish exports, trade and commerce. However, after the Government’s recent trade mission to Saudi Arabia, many people felt considerable disquiet at what was seen as a reluctance on the Government's part to talk directly about the myriad of human rights abuses that take place there. I would like the Tánaiste and Ministers of State to join with me in publicly condemning the practice of the kafala system, whereby migrant workers are tied to sponsored employers who regularly withhold their wages and passports. Will the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade raise this with the Saudi authorities?

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The question down for me is about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. I will answer any other supplementary questions arising from it.

The nature of the Saudi state, as an absolute monarchy with a legal system based on Islamic Sharia, means it is wholly different from the rights-based culture and legal system of western countries. While the overall human rights situation in Saudi Arabia leaves a great deal to be desired, it can on one level be considered less oppressive than many other states in the region whose laws might, in theory, provide greater human rights protection.

Many of the human rights issues in the kingdom stem from the deep conservatism of Saudi society and the application of Sharia, rather than being attributable solely to its Government. King Abdullah, perceived by many externally as a reformist ruler and active advocate for women’s rights, has been mindful of the fierce opposition to change from conservative religious and tribal leaders. Top down reforms have therefore been cautious, modest and gradual.

Despite some positive developments in recent years, such as the establishment of a human rights commission and the appointment of women to the kingdom's consultative council, human rights issues remain contentious. Some of the most important human rights problems reported include citizens’ lack of the right to change their government; restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, assembly and religion; and a lack of equal rights for women, children and expatriate workers. Other human rights problems reported include use of the death penalty, abuses in detention and arbitrary interference with privacy. Capital punishment is imposed without adequate safeguards and sentences are often carried out in a cruel way and in public. Lack of government transparency and access unfortunately make it difficult to assess accurately the magnitude of many reported human rights problems.

Ireland remains committed to raising human rights concerns with Saudi Arabia through bilateral contacts, as well as through the European Union and the United Nations.

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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The term “a lot to be desired” is somewhat of an understatement. Did the Government raise the exploitation of migrant workers, as well as the treatment of women and other minority communities in Saudi Arabia, on the recent trade mission there? If so, what was the response it received? Many people felt the Government was reluctant to talk directly about these issues. The death penalty is regularly used in Saudi Arabia. Did the Government raise this directly with the Saudi authorities? I accept trade is important but human rights have no borders.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland has always been at the forefront internationally in raising human rights issues through bilateral contacts, the European Union and the United Nations. We have never shied away from addressing those issues.

Ireland made two recommendations to Saudi Arabia during the most recent human rights council universal periodic review process in October. These recommendations focused on the right to freedom of association and the improvement of women’s rights through ending the male guardianship requirement which would allow women to conduct official business as Saudi Government officials. Ireland is an active member of the European Union human rights group in Riyadh which co-ordinates EU policy on human rights issues with the kingdom and progresses implementation of the EU’s human rights country strategy for Saudi Arabia. It enables member states to share information on human rights issues and discuss how these can be most effectively progressed.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thank you, Tánaiste.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I have quite a number of examples of what Ireland is doing in this regard.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, but I am stuck because there is a one-minute limit on supplementary answers.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I was anxious to put on record what Ireland is doing on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. I will take another opportunity to do so.

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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My question was did the Government raise the issues of guardianship, the exploitation of migrant workers and capital punishment specifically on its recent visit to Saudi Arabia. If so, what was the nature of the response it received from the Saudi authorities?

I appreciate there are all sorts of diplomatic initiatives taking place at all levels but what specific action did the Irish Government take when the Taoiseach and other Ministers visited Saudi Arabia recently? Did he raise these issues? What response did he receive and what follow-up actions will be taken to put pressure on this despicable regime to respect human rights?

10:20 am

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am anxious to put on the record the actions the Government has taken on the human rights issue in Saudi Arabia. The European Union group, of which we are a party, received approval from the Saudi authorities to attend the trials of human rights activists. This is a significant and positive development that will enable the group to more closely monitor issues relating to access to justice and the rule of law. The group also regularly interacts with Saudi human rights activists and seeks out ways to develop co-operation with local human rights groups. It also actively progresses key human rights concerns with the Saudi authorities, the Saudi Arabian human rights commission and the National Society for Human Rights. The group has drafted local human rights reports on priority issues in order to feed into high level policy discussions within the EU on human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. Ireland also raises human rights issues directly with the Saudi Arabian government. For example, Ireland's ambassador to Saudi Arabia has been active in highlighting human rights cases raised by the Irish NGO, Front Line Defenders. Both Ireland and Saudi Arabia are members of the UN Human Rights Council. As part of that forum, the UN Human Rights Council carries out a periodic review of every member state and its human rights record. Ireland played a very active part in the review of the situation in Saudi Arabia. The two areas on which we focused in that review were the freedom of association and the rights of women. So far as Ireland's engagement with Saudi Arabia is concerned, we have a very active engagement with Saudi Arabia on human rights issues. What we have to be mindful of is doing that in a way that is effective but also in a way that co-ordinates with people on the ground in Saudi Arabia, particularly co-ordinating with human rights activists on the ground in Saudi Arabia. I have explained how we do that in co-operation with other member states.