John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Question 11: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions at a political and diplomatic level he will take to show his support for the democratic protests and revolution taking place in Bahrain which is being repressed by the Bahraini Government with help from Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33707/12]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Question 16: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the Bahrain Government to permit the existence of civil societies in order that the community can support itself at a grass roots level, for example Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti Violence Organisation, a non governmental organisation registered here. [32298/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 16 together.

I have made clear on a number of occasions, including in this House, my own deep concern and that of the Irish Government and people regarding the overall human rights situation in Bahrain. The approach adopted by the government of Bahrain to those who peacefully seek reform and dialogue is disturbing, in that it highlights the low threshold which the Bahraini authorities have for tolerating dissent.

The only viable path forward for Bahrain is reconciliation and dialogue. The Bahraini government must address the legitimate demands of those peacefully seeking reform and greater inter-communal dialogue. I urge the Bahraini authorities and the opposition to engage genuinely and meaningfully in a national reconciliation process so as to chart a new and inclusive future for Bahrain.

A strong signal of the Bahrain government's willingness to initiate such a process would be the reform of the penal code governing freedom of expression, assembly and association. Certain articles are ambiguous and can be used to prosecute individuals for the exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly or association. Ireland recommended this reform at the Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain by the UN Human Rights Council in April.

Ireland has stressed in bilateral and multilateral contacts, including when the Irish Ambassador visited Manama last week to present his credentials, that Bahrain must swiftly implement the recommendations of the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry report published last November. If taken, such actions would signify that the government of Bahrain is ready to take the lead in re-building trust between the communities in Bahrain. The steps so far taken by the Bahraini authorities, including the recent announcement that restitution will be paid to the families of 17 victims killed in the brutal repression of last year, are welcome but more clearly needs to be done to address the legitimate demands of the people of Bahrain, including ensuring that members of the security forces responsible for serious human rights violations are fully held to account. Ireland and the EU will continue to call on the Bahraini authorities to fully implement all the report's recommendations.

I am aware of, and commend, the work that the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti Violence Organisation (BRAVO) is endeavouring to undertake in providing treatment and counselling for the victims of torture. Officials in my Department had a very informative meeting last month with Dr. Nada Dhaif, Chairwoman of BRAVO, during her recent visit to Ireland, at which she gave her unique perspective on the situation in Bahrain. Ireland will continue to encourage Bahrain and all countries in the region to ease restrictions on civil society, as I remain convinced that promotion of the role of civil society is fundamental to achieving greater respect for human rights.