John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 310: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action the Government has taken to address the concerns regarding escalating human rights abuses in Iran, including the execution of a PMOI political prisoner (details supplied) and the threat by the regime in Iran to execute more political prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19667/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government and its EU partners have growing concerns about the protection of human rights in Iran across a wide spectrum of issues, including use of the death penalty. There appears to be a significant increase in the use of the death penalty in Iran, including the case referred to by the Deputy. Our concerns also relate to the use of the death penalty in cases of under-age offenders, lack of due process and safeguards, and the manner in which executions are carried out.

The EU makes these concerns known in demarches to the Iranian authorities and in public statements, as well as through action in international organisations. Most recently, on 19 April 2006, the EU issued a public statement about executions in Iran.

To quote from that statement, "The Union expresses its serious concern about the general increase in executions in Iran. This trend is confirmed by the ten executions carried out recently in the prison of Evin. The EU reiterates that it is, as a matter of principle, opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances and calls for its universal abolition. Where the death penalty still exists, the EU calls on states to progressively restrict its use, and insists that capital punishment could be imposed only for the most serious crimes and according to minimum standards, and that the death penalty may not be imposed on certain categories of persons such as, for example, juvenile offenders."

The General Affairs and External Relations Council reiterated these concerns at its most recent meeting, in Brussels on 15 May.

I regret that the Iranian authorities have shown little interest in improving the protection of human rights in their country. The EU has also endeavoured to engage constructively to encourage improvements through a formal Human Rights Dialogue with Iran. The last session of this dialogue was held under the Irish EU Presidency in June 2004. Iran has for two years now failed to agree a date for the next round.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 311: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts which have been made to meet with the political opposition to the clerical regime in Iran to discuss and explore the options for democratic change in Iran from inside in order to elect an inclusive and secular Government in that country in view of the condemnation of Iran by the United Nations for its gross violations of human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19668/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no plans to meet with the particular organisation referred to by the Deputy.

The Government, and our EU partners, remain very seriously concerned about a wide range of human rights issues in Iran. These concerns are raised regularly with the Iranian authorities and have been highlighted publicly. On 19 April 2006, the EU issued a public declaration concerning the human rights situation in Iran, and especially the use of the death penalty. Most recently, the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 May reiterated our concerns, including those on the unacceptable treatment of the Sufi and Baha'i minorities in Iran and the harassment of human rights defenders.

In common with our partners, we will continue to support peaceful reform within Iran. I look forward to the establishment of fully democratic institutions of Government in Iran, which fully reflect the human rights of its people.