Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Human Rights Issues

10:00 am

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in recent receipt of appeals from those representing the Ahmedi people who are suffering repression and oppression in Pakistan; the assistance he may have offered; if he has discussed this matter with representatives of the Pakistan Government. [29644/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have received a number of appeals in relation to the situation of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, most recently in connection with the murder of over 90 members of that community in Lahore as they worshipped in two mosques in the city on 28 May.

I have condemned these murders on a number of occasions in this House, just as I now condemn the murders of innocent civilians in the attack on a Sufi shrine in Lahore last week. Nothing can justify attacks which cause such senseless carnage and destruction. On my own behalf, and on behalf of the Government, I once again extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved families on their great loss.

These attacks bring to public attention once again the threats which exist to the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, the discrimination they can face there and in neighbouring countries, and issues relating to other minority communities more broadly.

Promoting religious tolerance remains a key objective of Ireland and the EU in relation to Pakistan. Bilaterally, and through the EU, we have urged the Government there to make every effort to promote effectively the rights of minorities and to improve their current conditions. In our bilateral contact with Pakistan, we have emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate protections for minorities in Pakistan. Minority and human rights issues in that country were discussed at political consultations held between Ireland and Pakistan at Political Director level in Islamabad on 10 February last. The issue of the recent attacks has been raised with the Embassy of Pakistan and my Department will continue to discuss issues relating to minorities in its ongoing bilateral contacts with Pakistan.

At EU level, Council Conclusions of 28 April and 8 December 2008 reaffirmed the importance of human rights in Pakistan as a central priority for the EU. Human rights and minority issues are regularly discussed with Pakistan, most recently at the second EU-Pakistan Summit held in Brussels on 4 June.

The Government of Pakistan has made it clear that it is committed to the protection of minorities, the promotion of religious tolerance and combating the terrorist actions of the local Taliban and other radicals. However, it faces very serious challenges in this regard. Many hundreds of innocent Pakistani civilians from many parts of the country, from many tribal and religious groups and from all levels in society have fallen victim to terrorists. In the case of the attacks on the Ahmadiyya community on 28 May, I note that the Punjab wing of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility and that the police are reported to have arrested seven men with alleged links to this group. There are also reports that a further two persons suspected of having taken part in the attacks were arrested in Lahore on 2 June and remain in custody.

The EU has pledged to assist the Government of Pakistan in its efforts to fight terrorism. In this context, leaders at the EU-Pakistan Summit on the 4 June agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the EU and Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, both within the framework of the United Nations as well as in other relevant forums. The EU and Pakistan also reiterated that counter-terrorism measures and the protection of human rights are complementary and mutually reinforcing, and should be implemented in full respect of international law.

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