Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the treatment, and safety, of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan; and the measures the international community are taking in order to help alleviate the mistreatment of persons suspected to be followers of this faith. [31746/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland and its EU partners continue to have concerns about human rights issues in Pakistan, including instances of intolerance towards the Ahmadiyya community there. Promoting religious tolerance remains a key EU objective in relation to Pakistan. We have urged the Government of Pakistan to make every effort to promote effectively the rights of minorities and to improve their current conditions. EU Council Conclusions on 28 April and 8 December 2008 reaffirmed the importance of human rights in Pakistan as a central priority for the EU.

Human rights issues are raised with Pakistan both bilaterally and at EU level. A demarche which was carried out in Islamabad by the EU Troika on 28 December 2008 as part of the EU's human rights dialogue with Pakistan highlighted, inter alia, the frequent reports of discrimination and violence against members of minority communities. The EU encouraged the Government of Pakistan to promote tolerance, to protect freedom of belief and freedom of expression effectively and to reform discriminatory legislation, in particular the blasphemy laws. In this context, the EU expressed its hope that the newly appointed Federal Minister for Minority Affairs would find opportunities and means to raise awareness about abuses against minorities and to increase their political representation at all levels.

Human rights and minority issues were also discussed at the first EU-Pakistan Summit which was held in Brussels on 17 June last. The EU welcomed progress made by Pakistan in its transition to democratic civilian rule following the February 2008 parliamentary elections. It also recognised efforts being made by Pakistan towards the integration of women and minorities in social, economic and political structures, and it encouraged continued efforts in this regard. Both sides recognised the importance of the implementation in Pakistan of relevant international conventions in the human rights field.

Combating religious intolerance is a traditional priority for Ireland in its international human rights advocacy. Ireland has actively supported resolutions on the elimination of religious intolerance at the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN General Assembly, most recently co-sponsoring a resolution on the topic of discrimination based on religion or belief which was adopted at the tenth session of the UN Human Rights Council in March of this year.