Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the threats to the life of the head of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, Maina Kiai. [3671/08]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make a statement, even on an interim basis, on the results of the initiative of the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anan, in relation to the current crisis in Kenya. [3670/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his colleagues at EU and UN level are in a position to positively influence the situation in Kenya with particular reference to bringing about an immediate cessation to the ongoing loss of life; if the international community is satisfied that democratic procedures have been followed in the most recent elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3870/08]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position on the crisis in Kenya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3789/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action at EU and UN level to address the deteriorating situation in Kenya with particular reference to the need to alert the worldwide community to the seriousness of the matter and putting in place measures to address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4179/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 121, 141, 152 and 227 together.

I refer the Deputies to the answer I have given to Priority Questions Nos. 95 and 98.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he and his Department have had with Chinese counterparts as well as representatives of the Chinese Government in Ireland with regard to continued mistreatment of practitioners and adherents of Falun Gong. [3690/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Questions relating to the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners, including specific cases, are raised by the Government with the Government of China on a regular basis in the context of bilateral discussions on human rights issues, as well as through the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue.

On a bilateral level, human rights issues form part of the standard agenda of meetings between the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, myself and other Ministers and their Chinese counterparts. In addition, senior officials of my Department engage in regular meetings with the Chinese Embassy here on human rights issues, at which all major issues of concern — including issues relating to the Falun Gong — are discussed. Our Embassy in Beijing also plays a role in raising issues and cases involving human rights with the Chinese Government.

Ireland is also involved in the development and expression of EU policy in relation to human rights in China. The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue is the agreed formal framework through which the EU raises human rights issues and concerns with China. This broad-ranging dialogue with the Chinese Government, which takes place twice each year, includes issues relating to the Falun Gong, including specific individuals and cases.

My Department also meets Falun Gong representatives, as well as representatives of Human Rights Organisations dealing with China, on a regular basis. In addition, senior officials of my Department met on two occasions with the authors of the Kilgour-Matas report into allegations of organ harvesting of Falun Gong members, allegations which remain unsubstantiated to date, but which nevertheless identify issues of concern.

These contacts, as well as with representatives of the Falun Gong in Ireland, will continue to be maintained and issues of concern will continue to be raised with the Chinese authorities.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department's attention has been drawn to the ongoing persecution of the Ahmedin community in Pakistan in regard to their human rights. [3691/08]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken to reflect the widespread condemnation here at the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3788/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to ongoing human rights abuses of the Ahmedin people in Rabwah in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3692/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures available to the international community to verify that the forthcoming elections to be held in Pakistan are free and fair and in accordance with the democratic principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3871/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action the EU or the UN proposes to take to encourage normal and peaceful elections in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4178/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123, 131, 151, 154 and 226 together.

Ireland, together with our EU partners, continues to have concerns about human rights issues in Pakistan, including the situation of the Ahmadis. Promoting religious tolerance remains a key EU objective in Pakistan and we have urged the government there to make every effort to promote effectively the rights of minorities and to improve their current conditions. Regular human rights demarches are carried out by the EU at official level with the Pakistani authorities. The situation of minorities was among the issues raised at the most recent demarche, which took place in June 2007. The EU expressed its continued concerns over abuses of the blasphemy laws, which are often used to harass members of minority communities as well as Muslims. An additional current concern is the Ahmadi community's claim that they are being discriminated against in the current electoral process, as a result of the Government requirement that they register on a separate voter list, and their consequent decision to boycott the elections.

As regards the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, President McAleese, the Taoiseach and I all issued statements immediately after this tragic event on 27 December. As I noted in my statement, the killing of Benazir Bhutto was an attack on democracy, as she, her party and the country prepared for parliamentary elections. I would reiterate my call upon the Pakistani authorities, and all those with particular influence upon them, to do their utmost to ensure that Pakistan continues on its path back to democracy. Equally, as the EU Presidency made clear in its statement on 27 December, all sides should refrain from violence and civil unrest and pursue the path of national reconciliation.

As regards the forthcoming elections in Pakistan, President Musharraf has repeatedly insisted that these will be 'free, fair, transparent and peaceful'. In order to ensure and assess that this is the case, 1,759 observers have been accredited to monitor the Elections, of which 307 are international observers. The largest international team will be the EU Election Observation Mission — to which Ireland has contributed 6 observers. Two important Pakistani civil society groups will also be playing an active role — the Free and Fair Election Network and the Pakistan Coalition of Free and Fair Elections. The EU's Election Observation Mission has been playing an active role on the ground, including providing their observations to the Pakistan government and elections Commission. The UN is not sending an observation team but has provided technical support for the preparation of the elections, primarily through UNDP.

In the overall context, the lifting on 15 December of the state of emergency has resulted in some easing of restrictions on pre-elections preparations. As a result, many aspects of the logistical preparations for the elections have been progressing well. A computerised final electoral roll was made available on the internet on 8 January, the recruitment of polling personnel has been finalised, details of the numbers of registered voters and lists of polling stations, polling booths and poling personnel for each constituency have been published, the printing of ballot papers has been completed and on schedule, and plans are underway to roll out tamper-proof, transparent perspex ballot-boxes that will be used in the elections.

Concerns remain, however, about some of the arrangements, as well as the potential for rigging the elections. There is still no official list of candidates and a number of appeals regarding the eligibility of some candidates are awaiting decision by the Supreme Court. The requirement for voters to present new computerised National Identity Cards may disenfranchise some voters, particularly the disadvantaged and those in remoter areas. The compilation and consolidation of results by returning officers will be a particular focus for election monitors. A number of media restrictions remain in place, and I would call for these to be lifted immediately. A further important step would be to end the ongoing arrests and harassment of political opponents, and to release all political prisoners, including human rights defenders.

The EU has consistently urged President Musharraf and the Pakistani Government to do all possible to ensure that these elections are indeed fully free and fair, as has been promised. Strong messages on these lines were conveyed by the EU Presidency, and other European leaders, during Musharraf's recent visit to Brussels and some European capitals. Ireland, with our EU partners, will continue to closely monitor the situation in Pakistan in the lead up to and throughout the upcoming elections.