Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied), a former Irish resident, who was arrested under repressive legislation on International Human Rights Day, 9 December 2007 in Kuala Lumpur at a protest calling for the right to freedom of assembly; and if he will make representations to his counterparts in Malaysia urging the Malaysian Government to drop the charges and in relation to the abuse of human rights there more generally. [4296/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I would refer the Deputy to my written answer of 5 February 2008, regarding this case, in which I stated:

I am aware of the arrest of 8 people, including 5 lawyers and the Malaysian citizen under reference, on 9 December 2007 during a protest to mark International Human Rights Day. I understand these individuals were charged under Malaysia's Police Act, and were released shortly thereafter. A date has not yet been set for their trial. I have asked that the Embassy in Kuala Lumpur continue to monitor these cases closely.

I am also aware of recent arrests under the Internal Security Act. Ireland and its EU partners have previously expressed serious concerns to the Government of Malaysia about the use and scope of the Act. While fully respecting the duty of the Government of Malaysia to ensure security and the rule of law within its borders, I believe more could and needs to be done to facilitate peaceful protests on human rights issues. Ireland, together with our EU partners will continue to monitor the situation closely on human rights in Malaysia.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the state of human rights in Iran; if the new year was ushered in with 13 public hangings on New Year's Day 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4310/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to allegations by Iranians living here that some of their members have been targeted by Iranian Embassy staff because of their protests against human rights abuses in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3931/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that have been taken on a State basis and with EU partners to express the Government's opposition to the continuing human rights abuses in Iran; and if consideration has been given to ending trade with the country until those abuses are addressed. [3933/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 to 220, inclusive, together.

In view of the current international focus on the Iranian nuclear issue, and on developments in Iraq, I believe it is important that we do not lose sight of the human rights situation in Iran, on which we have very serious concerns.

After a period in which gradual progress was evident in the overall human rights situation, the past few years have witnessed a serious and sustained erosion of human rights protections in Iran. Moderate and reformist political voices have been suppressed, and freedom of expression has been severely curtailed by actions against media outlets and individual journalists.

Against this background of reassertion of State control, a wide range of other human rights issues has also shown a marked deterioration. These include the increased use of the death penalty, including executions of minors and, in some isolated cases, recourse to the barbaric practice of execution by stoning. Iran executed some three hundred people in 2007, and has reportedly already executed twenty-eight in 2008, including thirteen people on 2 January.

There has been a notable increase in intolerance of expression of identity by national minorities, and active harassment of minority communities, including the Baha'i community. Trade unions and women's groups have been suppressed and there has been a sustained campaign against NGOs and human rights defenders. Indeed groups and individuals in Iran are now being targeted by the authorities because they have been in contact with western Embassies.

I have been seriously concerned by these developments, and I raised them in my meeting with Foreign Minister Mottaki in New York in October 2007. The Government and our EU partners make frequent representations to the Iranian authorities about specific cases and issues, and about the broader principles of human rights. On the specific issue of executions, we have raised the principle of the death penalty, its increasing use, the cruel methods employed, and the execution of child offenders. Ireland participates actively in discussions within the EU on how best to advance these issues. In recent years we have co-sponsored a Resolution at the UN General Assembly on the human rights situation in Iran, along with Canada and others. We did so again in November.

Regrettably, Iran has shown little interest in tackling these issues. A formal Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Iran is now effectively in abeyance. The last meeting was held under the Irish EU Presidency in 2004, and it seems clear that Iran is not now willing to engage in the dialogue.

There is little to suggest that ending trade with Iran would be likely to influence this situation. Iran has already learned to live with almost thirty years of US sanctions and relative isolation. Much of its economy is now offshore or in the black market, and the domestic economy is dominated by oil and gas exports, for which global demand continues to increase.

The Government and our EU partners will continue to use every opportunity to draw attention to, and where possible to uphold, the fundamental rights of the Iranian people.

My Department has received no representations from Iranians living here about activities by the Embassy of Iran.