Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent talks in Bahrain between the monarchy and the opposition; his views on the possibility of imprisoned opposition and human rights persons being freed; and if this possibility has been discussed at EU level. [15530/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I very much welcome the fact that there has been some progress recently in relation to political dialogue in Bahrain, with the main opposition parties agreeing to meet with the Bahraini Government within a process of national dialogue which recommenced last month. It is important that all sides engage constructively in this dialogue with a view to furthering reconciliation and reform within Bahrain.

At the same time, I remain very concerned about the overall political and human rights situation in Bahrain. I have repeatedly called on the Bahraini Government to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights and to implement in full the recommendations of the Bahraini International Commission of Inquiry. The Commission’s recommendations set out the way forward in terms of political dialogue, human rights, respect for the rule of law and refraining from excessive violence. The Bahraini authorities must ensure, in particular, that fundamental rights in relation to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association are fully respected.

I have made clear in this House on a number of occasions my view that that the Bahraini Government should consider exercising clemency and releasing imprisoned activists and human rights defenders, such as Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Nabeel Rajab, as well as in the case of the imprisoned medical professionals. This would serve the wider interests of promoting the reconciliation which is urgently needed reconciliation within Bahrain.

Since the onset of unrest in 2011, High Representative Ashton and senior EU officials have regularly conveyed to the Bahraini authorities the EU’s concerns about the human rights situation in Bahrain. I fully support the High Representative’s readiness to provide, if requested, EU support for the resumed national dialogue process.

I have ensured that Ireland’s concerns on human rights issues in Bahrain have been conveyed regularly to the Bahraini authorities and I will continue to do so. Officials in my Department make clear our concerns to the Bahraini Ambassador in London; and Ireland’s Ambassador in Riyadh, who is accredited to Bahrain, has raised these issues directly with the authorities there on every appropriate occasion, including most recently with the Foreign Minister while the Ambassador was in Bahrain over the St. Patrick’s Day period.