Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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187. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2660/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government remains concerned about the case of Mrs. Bibi. When the case came to the attention of my Department, the Ambassador accredited to Pakistan at the time called upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad to convey our concern at the conviction and sentence. He also expressed our disquiet at the nature of Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Officials in my Department keep in regular contact with the Embassy of Pakistan on this and a number of other issues.

At European level, freedom of religious belief and expression plays a central role in the EU’s dialogue with Pakistan. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, Catherine Ashton has expressed her concerns at the Bibi judgment, and others like it, numerous times and called on Pakistan to respect human rights as guaranteed under international conventions.

During a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in March 2013, Ireland together with our EU partners urged the authorities in Pakistan to take the necessary action to protect the rights of all citizens, including those belonging to religious minorities.

Pakistan underwent a ‘Universal Periodic Review’ of the human rights situation in the country at the United Nations in October 2012. At this review, concern was expressed about the case of Mrs. Bibi and calls for Pakistan to consider adopting an official moratorium on the death penalty. During the process, Ireland recommended that Pakistan take all appropriate measures to combat and prevent discrimination against religious and other minority groups, including by removing educational material which could serve to perpetuate discrimination.

Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. We are well aware of the vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan and will continue to raise the case of Asia Bibi and others bilaterally with the Pakistan Government as well as through the framework and mechanisms of the European Union and the United Nations.