Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 49: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made representations on behalf of Ashraf residents concerning Iraqi forces taking over the Ashraf hospital whose building and equipment are owned by the residents and where the residents are denied access to free medical services in Iraq as a result of which 12 residents have died; if he will address the concerns of the Ashraf residents and those who have moved to Camp Liberty who also suffer from the same issues concerning health care; if he will support the residents in their endeavour to take all their medical equipment with them to Camp Liberty and gain free access to medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15430/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I have made clear in answer to previous questions my deep concern about the residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq, in light of the serious violence which took place in the camp in April 2011 and the Iraqi Government's clear insistence that it wishes the camp to be closed. Ireland and its EU partners fully support the process now underway and led by the UN to manage the closure of the camp. I understand that around 800 people from Camp Ashraf were transferred to the temporary location of Camp Hurriya (the former US military Camp Liberty), which is located north-east of Baghdad, in February. The UNHCR had determined before this transfer took place that the infrastructure and facilities at Camp Hurriya were in accordance with international humanitarian standards for refugees, as is required under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the UN and the Iraqi Government on 25 December last. The UNHCR is currently exploring resettlement options in third countries for camp residents that do not wish to return to Iran and do not have another nationality. A further 2,400 remain in Camp Ashraf and it is hoped that they, too, will soon be relocated. It remains imperative that there should be no attempt at forced repatriation of any of those camp residents who do not wish to return to Iran.

I welcome the decision of the Iraqi government to extend the closure of Camp Ashraf to the end of April to allow the relocation process to proceed, in full compliance with international humanitarian standards. Ireland fully recognises Iraqi sovereignty over the whole of its territory, including Camp Ashraf, but this sovereignty also carries with it responsibilities. The Iraqi Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of all persons resident on its territory, including Camp Ashraf and Camp Hurriya residents.

Ireland, along with our EU partners, continue to urge the Iraqi government to refrain from any use of violence and to show full respect for the human rights of Camp Ashraf's and Camp Hurriya's residents in the period ahead while the UNHCR explores resettlement options.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to the relevant authorities regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15431/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am extremely concerned about the case of Pastor Nadarkhani, a thirty-four year old father of two who faces the death penalty for the charge of apostasy if he does not renounce his Christian faith. This comes amid repressive actions against followers of diverse faiths in Iran, including Sufis and Baha'is. I am particularly disturbed by reports that an execution order has been issued for Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. There have been many other troubling aspects to this case, including the fact that the proceedings do not seem to be solely in the hands of the judiciary, that Mr Nadarkhani has come under repeated pressure to renounce his faith in exchange for his freedom and that there has been a lack of transparency which means that Mr Nadarkhani has not been afforded due process.

Threatening the death penalty and imprisoning innocent people because of their faith is an issue of the utmost gravity and represents a serious attack on the universal right to religious freedom. I fully support the call by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Ahmed Shaheed, in his report to the Human Rights Council on 12 March, to the Iranian Government to "seriously consider a moratorium on the death penalty for all crimes until such time as effective enforcement of due process rights may be meaningfully demonstrated." The Special Rapporteur also professes "to be alarmed by communications that demonstrate the systemic and systematic persecution of members of unrecognized religious communities, particularly the Baha'i community, in violation of international conventions."

Furthermore, the case involving Pastor Nadarkhani illustrates the chronic violations of due process in the Iranian justice system, including in terms of the application of the death penalty and actions against religious freedom, which are systematically established in the Special Rapporteur's report. Mr Shaheed specifically highlights an overall lack of adherence to the rule of law and the failure of Iran's justice system to uphold its obligations under both domestic law and international legal instruments that Iran has itself signed. I urge the Iranian state to tackle this endemic problem as a matter of urgency.

Ireland has been actively involved in raising this case with the Iranian authorities and calling for Mr Nadarkhani's immediate and unconditional release, including with the Iranian Ambassador here in Dublin. At EU level, Ireland strongly supports the statement on 6 January by High Representative Ashton on this case and calling for an immediate moratorium on the death penalty in Iran.

Ireland and its EU partners will continue to put pressure on Iran to release Mr Nadarkhani and to urge Iran to respect its international human rights commitments, including on the death penalty and on freedom of religion or belief.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations with the American in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15432/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am aware of the case of Mr. René González Sehwerert, who was one of five Cuban nationals known as the "Miami Five", who were convicted on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder in 2001 in the United States. I am also aware that Mr. González, who was accused of conspiracy to commit espionage, was released on probation on 7 October 2011. The government of Ireland has no standing in this matter.