Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he will support the lifting of the blockade against Cuba which is infringing on the human rights of the Cuban people; and if he will call for the immediate release and pardon of the remaining members of the Cuban five who have served over 16 years to date in American prisons, a call that has been advocated by an independent commission of inquiry held into the Cuban five. [45608/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and the other member states of the European Union are firmly of the view that the lifting of the embargo would facilitate an opening of the island’s economy to the benefit of its people. In addition, we and our EU partners are not persuaded that the continued embargo is contributing in a positive way to the democratic transition in Cuba.

Ireland’s concerns about economic, commercial and financial measures against Cuba, which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade, are long-standing and clear. We object to unilaterally imposed measures that impede the economic and commercial relations of EU member states with Cuba.

Accordingly Ireland, and the other EU member states, support resolutions at the UN General Assembly that record opposition to the embargo, most recently last month on the 28th of October.

The resolution also recognised the continued EU concerns and criticisms regarding governance and human rights in Cuba. It was noted that while the US embargo has a damaging effect on the Cuban economy, domestic Cuban economic policy seriously hampers its own economic development. The resolution urged that the package of economic and social reforms adopted by the Cuban Parliament in August 2011 be extended and implemented in a manner that will address the key concerns of the Cuban population. I urge the Cuban authorities to bring about real improvements in all areas mentioned, and to grant its citizens internationally recognised civil, political and economic rights and freedoms.

I am aware of the case of to which the Deputy refers of the Cuban citizens imprisoned in the US. As this is a bilateral consular issue between the US and the Cuban authorities, the Government have no standing in the matter.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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160. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on representations that have been made in respect of Asia Bibi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45731/14]

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.

Our concern at the conviction and sentence was first conveyed by the Irish Ambassador accredited to Pakistan (from Ankara, Turkey) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad in 2013.

Most recently, the Ambassador visited Islamabad in early November 2014. In the course of his meetings there with a senior Pakistani Foreign Ministry representative, he raised this case, noting that it is a matter of grave concern in Ireland.

Officials in my Department also keep in regular contact with the Embassy of Pakistan on this, and a number of other issues. Officials recently raised this case, and our concerns regarding the blasphemy laws and persecution of Christians generally, with the Embassy of Pakistan.

At EU level, freedom of religion or belief and freedom of opinion and expression play a central role in the EU’s dialogue with Pakistan. The former 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.

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.

The issue of the death penalty in Pakistan and this case were also the subject of a statement made on behalf of the EU High Representative/Vice-President Catherine Ashton at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 22 October last. In the course of that Statement, it was noted that the EU, and particularly its Delegation in Islamabad, would continue to follow the case closely and would continue to advocate for the verdict to be overturned and for the person concerned to be released. While not trying to intervene in an ongoing court case, the Statement noted that the EU would use any opportunity to raise this case and the wider issues of the death penalty and blasphemy law, with Pakistan.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr Stavros Lambrinidis also visited Pakistan at the end of last month, where he held an in depth dialogue with the Pakistan authorities on key human rights issues.

At the UN level, Pakistan underwent a ‘Universal Periodic Review’ of the human rights situation in the country at the United Nations Human Rights Council 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.

Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. We are 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.