Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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432. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he remains satisfied that adequate efforts continue to be made to encourage Iran to embrace democratic structures incorporating full recognition of human rights standards; if sanctions commensurate with progress in this regard are being lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38223/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On the general issue of human rights in Iran, I refer the Deputy to my reply to his oral Question No. 84 (37686/14) today. In relation to sanctions, it is important to distinguish between the sanctions related to the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, and those related to human rights. The sanctions related to human rights are limited and very focussed, and relate essentially to specific named human rights abusers.

The broader sanctions which cover certain economic, financial and industrial sectors in Iran are related to the nuclear issue, and may be removed if and when the nuclear issue is resolved. I hope that will be the case. They were not imposed because of human rights concerns, and will not be removed because of progress in relation to those concerns.

The Deputy will also note that in my earlier reply I stated that, while we are hopeful of a new and more positive dialogue with Iran on human rights, there has been little visible progress to date.