Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the very serious, extensive and fundamental breaches of human rights involved he will indicate his view on the request to the Federal Government of India to address the continued impunity which it is suggested is maintained by those involved in massacres, rapes and other widespread violations in Gujarat in 2002. [24993/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I very much share the concerns expressed by Deputy Sherlock about the killings and serious human rights abuses which occurred in Gujarat in 2002, and the strong evidence which exists to suggest that some individuals within the State Government of Gujarat were involved.

In view of very deep concerns in this regard, and particularly in light of the strong evidence of involvement by the State authorities in the violence and rights abuses which took place, the EU agreed, shortly after these events in 2002, to refrain from any high-level EU visits to the State of Gujarat and from all direct contacts with Chief Minister Modi or his Ministers and reaffirmed this position in 2006. It was also decided that members of the Gujarat Government should not be facilitated in relation to any official visits to EU Member States. This remains our position.

The EU, individually and collectively, avails of all suitable opportunities to raise with the Indian Government a variety of areas of concern in relation to human rights and rights of minorities, including our concerns about the situation in Gujarat. The central Government in New Delhi is indeed aware of the situation and of the EU's concerns in this regard. Our concerns relate not only to the specific events of 2002 but also to the evidence of continuing discrimination and impunity in Gujarat.

State Elections will be taking place in Gujarat in December this year and we will be monitoring developments there closely, particularly to gauge if the outcome to those elections will enhance the prospects of further investigation of the events of 2002 and the bringing to justice of those who perpetrated the violence and abuses which took place at that time.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Irish Government's view in relation to the importance of ending the denial of the Armenian genocide and vindication of the human rights of those within Turkey who wish to discuss this issue. [24979/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Relations between Turkey and Armenia are complicated by a number of outstanding issues. The major dispute between the two countries centres on the different interpretations of events during the First World War which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Government has proposed the establishment of a commission, composed of eminent academics, to investigate and determine the facts of this tragic episode in their shared history. While it has not been possible to move forward on the basis of this proposal, we would encourage both sides to explore ways to make progress on this most sensitive issue.

The Government's concerns about the human rights situation in Turkey are raised on a regular basis in our contacts with the Turkish Government and its representatives, and in cooperation with our partners in the EU. In recent years Turkey has made significant progress in the adoption of wide-ranging political and legal reforms. Important human rights reforms have been introduced and legislation enacted aimed at strengthening the enforcement of human rights, including the cultural rights of all citizens. At my recent meeting with Foreign Minister Babacan, en marge of the UN General Assembly, I emphasised the need for further progress on the reform agenda.

I am aware of recent reports of the conviction and jailing of journalists in Turkey for offences under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which apparently relate to their publication of particular views concerning the historical events referred to above. Ireland and our EU partners have made clear to Turkey our views on the need for further reform of the Turkish Penal Code to ensure full respect for freedom of expression, and we will continue to do so. In this context, I am pleased to note recent reports that the Turkish Government is considering revision of Article 301 of the Penal Code.