Written answers

Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 52: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his view on the news that 20 medics have been sentenced to up to 15 years imprisonment by a court in Bahrain for treating injured protesters earlier this year; the actions he will take in co-operation with his European and international partners to address this outrage; and his further views on the appropriateness of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland continued commercial partnership with the Bahraini Government in these circumstances. [27735/11]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am very concerned at the verdicts handed down last week to a group of medical doctors and nurses in Bahrain, a number of whom were either trained by or have worked with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). The sentences, which are being appealed, range from five to fifteen years. I am concerned at both the lack of due process — for example, allegations of torture while the accused were in custody and the fact that these civilians were tried in military courts — and the severity of the sentences. The sentences undermine prospects for much-needed national dialogue, reconciliation and reform in Bahrain. I recall that Bahrain is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which upholds the right to a fair trial. The Government has been pressing for an active response at EU level. I fully support the statement of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on 30 September which Ireland together with other EU partners encouraged as a response to these sentences. The US has also issued a highly critical statement on the sentencing as has UN Secretary General Ban who has expressed his deep concern over the harsh sentences handed down. It is important that the Bahraini authorities should now facilitate the requested visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as soon as possible.

I have already requested our Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, who is accredited to Bahrain, to make known our concerns directly to the Bahraini authorities. I would also strongly urge that none of those convicted on 29 September should be re-arrested, pending the appeal process which is now underway. I understand that these cases will now be transferred to a civilian legal appeal process, which hopefully will allow for a more sympathetic consideration of these cases. The Government will continue to convey its concerns in the fullest terms to the Bahraini authorities, through our Embassy in Riyadh and through EU and other appropriate channels.

In relation to the RCSI, I have already placed on record that it is necessary to distinguish between the involvement of the Royal College of Surgeons in the training of Bahraini medical personnel, which is entirely positive, and the detention of medical personnel by the Bahraini authorities, about which the Government is very concerned. The RCSI is a private third-level institution which has its own relationships in Bahrain and which must decide for itself the extent to which it wishes to comment on developments there. It also needs to be acknowledged that the RCSI has been involved on a commercial basis in Bahrain for some years now and that the medical campus and facilities which it operates represent a very substantial investment which is of direct economic relevance to this country. I know from my discussions with them that the RCSI has sought to use its influence in a positive way, by encouraging the Bahraini authorities to embark upon a process of reconciliation and pointing out the damage that current actions are having on Bahrain's international reputation.

I would further add that I regard the activities of the RCSI in assisting with the training of foreign medical personnel overseas as a highly worthwhile activity through which the College makes a significant contribution to the quality of life of millions of people around the world. The RCSI, as an educational provider, also has a responsibility to all of its students and ensuring they are able to complete their medical training.

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