Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had contact with his European counterparts to condemn the prosecution of an Afghan citizen relating to that person's conversion to Christianity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13022/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have followed with concern the case of Mr. Abdul Rahman who was charged in Afghanistan with apostasy for converting from Islam to Christianity, a charge punishable by death under Sharia law. I was pleased to hear that Mr.Rahman was released from custody on 27 March and I welcome the news that he has been granted asylum in Italy.

The EU had been monitoring the situation closely and EU heads of mission in Kabul had been in regular contact with the Afghan authorities. Article 2 of the Afghan constitution enshrines the right to religious freedom and the EU sought assurances from the Afghan Government that it would fully respect this right. The EU also conveyed to the Afghan Government its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Ireland, along with its EU partners, is adamantly opposed to use of the death penalty under any circumstances. The EU has, on a number of occasions, raised this issue with the Afghan authorities and advocated the EU's strongly held position in favour of the abolition of capital punishment.