Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 104: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the civil society and human rights groups he met with during his recent visit to Moscow to chair a meeting of the Joint Economic Commission between Ireland and Russia; the issues that were discussed during each of these meetings; the issues or cases of concern expressed to him there by the representatives of these groups; the commitments or support he offered to each of these groups on behalf of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35454/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

During my recent visit to Moscow, I had an opportunity for brief contact at events held in the Irish Embassy with representatives of a number of humanitarian groups, NGOs and academic institutions as well as religious figures, lawyers and media representatives. Due to time constraints, it was not possible to enter to detailed discussion with individual groups. I also attended a round-table session with leading Irish citizens in Moscow.

Through these various contacts, I obtained a good sense of the current situation in Russia, including matters of concern to civil society. I also signalled the availability of officials to meet representatives of human rights groups on the margins of my visit for fuller discussion. In addition, the Embassy in Moscow has regular contact with civil society and human rights groups in Russia and reports on issues of concern to the latter. In September, for example, representatives of a range of groups including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Memorial and the Moscow Helsinki Group were invited by the Ambassador to an event at the Embassy. The Government follows closely issues relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in Russia, both bilaterally and via the Council of Europe, and we will continue to do so.