Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators Walsh and Norris for their contributions on this issue. There is doubt that there has been a growth across the world in religious intolerance, not only Christianophobia but also Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. It is intolerable at this stage of human development that such growth should occur.

The Christmas Eve bombings in Jos, Nigeria, which claimed 80 lives, are widely believed to have been the work of an Islamist fundamentalist group known as Boko Harem. While a number of Muslim religious leaders have condemned the bombings outright, unfortunately their condemnation has not been heeded. Violence in and around Jos has been predominantly between Christians and Muslims and has a complex origin. Continued efforts by the state and federal governments to address the root causes of the violence are required if recurrences are to be prevented. The Irish Embassy in Nigeria has provided financial assistance to people in Jos, especially those who have been displaced or require relief as a result of intercommunal violence.

The promotion of religious tolerance is a key objective in our bilateral relations with Pakistan and in European Union relations with that country. Senator Walsh specifically referred to the need for the EU to be proactive in this matter. For its part, the Pakistani Government has given clear commitments to the European Union to combat extremism, protect religious minorities and promote religious tolerance. The work of the independent, national Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is welcomed, especially its public position on the obligations of the state.

Ireland will continue to work closely with our European Union partners and other international partners to secure the human rights of all minorities in Pakistan. The recent assassination of the Governor of Punjab, a case to which Senator Norris referred, highlights the difficulties faced by courageous people in that country.

I was gravely concerned about the horrific attacks against defenceless Christian worshippers at Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad on 31 October and the Coptic Church of the Saints of Alexandria on New Year's Eve. I condemn unreservedly the deplorable attacks on 18 and 19 January against Iraqi security forces providing support in this area. Groups such as al-Qaeda in Iraq which carry out these attacks are bent on destabilising the countries in which they operate and imposing religious totalitarianism. Ireland and the European Union are committed to ensuring such efforts to fragment and undermine pluralistic and democratic states do not succeed.

I do not agree that we should penalise governments for the actions of a violent few. We should work to help governments in Iraq, Egypt and elsewhere which are making efforts to improve matters in this area. The formation of a new Government in Iraq in December 2010 was an important step in the democratic development of a pluralistic state in which Iraqi Christians, Muslims and members of other religious denominations can live together.

As Senator Walsh noted, the Italian Government has produced a so-called food for thought paper to promote freedom of religion and related counter terrorism measures. The document, which is due to be considered at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on 31 January, is welcome because it highlights the concern we all share on freedom of religion and belief, including the deplorable recent attacks on innocent worshippers. The Italian paper makes several detailed proposals which the Government will examine carefully in co-operation with our European Union partners. There are no proposals for cutting aid to countries where Christian communities have been attacked. In any event, such proposals would be counter-productive. The European Union is, however, engaged in a concerted effort to ensure governments fulfil their responsibilities.

Ireland will continue to work closely with our European Union partners in this area. In 2009, the European Union General Affairs and External Relations Council issued Council conclusions on freedom of religion and belief. The conclusions reaffirmed the strong commitment of the European Union to the promotion and protection of freedom of religion and belief. States must ensure their legislative systems provide adequate and effective guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief to all without distinction. Since the adoption of these European Union Council conclusions, Ireland has been working continuously with European Union partners to implement them in a meaningful way.

Ireland and the European Union have also been active on these issues at multilateral level. Ireland has actively supported resolutions on the elimination of religious intolerance at the United Nations Human Rights Council and General Assembly. At the most recent session of the General Assembly in October and November 2010, the European Union brought a resolution on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Ireland co-sponsored this initiative, which passed by consensus. In March 2009, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ireland co-sponsored a draft resolution on discrimination based on religion or belief and its impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, which reaffirmed the right to freedom of religion or belief. In June 2010, at the Human Rights Council, the European Union successfully proposed a draft resolution on the issue of freedom of religion. It will continue to engage in this matter.

Senator Norris referred to the case of Ms Asia Bibi, a Christian woman in Pakistan who has been condemned to death for blasphemy. Ms Bibi's case is a cause of grave concern. The Pakistani authorities have indicated this is the first time a death sentence has been imposed under the country's blasphemy law and that there has never been an execution in these circumstances. This assurance provides cold comfort. The European Union and senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs have made clear that this is an horrific development. The concerns expressed in the Seanad will be passed on to the Pakistani Embassy.