Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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157. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) where the Superior Court in Pakistan recently dismissed their appeal and upheld the death sentence which was passed on them four years ago for blasphemy and if we as a country may intercede on behalf of this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40757/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains very concerned about this case, particularly following the recent decision of the High Court of Lahore to uphold this person’s conviction.The Irish Ambassador accredited to Pakistan called upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad in 2013 to convey our concern at the conviction and sentence. He also expressed our disquiet at the nature of Pakistan’s blasphemy law. I have asked our Ambassador to Pakistan (who is accredited from Turkey) to register our concern at the recent High Court decision with the Pakistan Foreign Ministry during his next visit to Islamabad. Officials in my Department also keep in regular contact with the Embassy of Pakistan on this, and a number of other issues.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 this case and calls were made 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.

At EU level, freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion 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 judgment, and others like it, on numerous occasions, and has called on Pakistan to respect human rights as guaranteed under international conventions.

In June 2014, the EU issued a Declaration on violence against women in Pakistan, expressing deep concern at the wide-spread violence perpetrated against women there.

The fifth meeting of the EU-Pakistan Joint Commission, which reviews EU-Pakistan bilateral relations annually, met in Islamabad on 24 June 2014. On human rights, the EU, while acknowledging efforts of the Government of Pakistan to strengthen human rights infrastructure in the country, expressed its concern on a number of issues including freedom of the media, freedom of religion and belief and the situation of women.

On 18 October last, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service expressed sadness and deep concern at the High Court decision to uphold this person’s conviction, and called on Pakistan to ensure for all its citizens, full respect of human rights as guaranteed by international conventions to which it is party. The spokesperson further noted that the EU considers the death penalty a cruel and inhumane punishment and expressed the hope that the verdict would be appealed to the Supreme Court and struck down swiftly.

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