Written answers

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights Issues

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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728. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland's support for the European Union's Human Rights and Democracy Action Plan; his views that the plan does not prioritise the right to freedom of religion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28424/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The promotion and protection of human rights is a central objective of Ireland’s foreign policy. In the Government’s recent review of foreign policy, The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, we re-affirmed our commitment to the universality, indivisibility and interrelatedness of all human rights, to accountability for human rights violations and abuses, and to the protection of those who are most vulnerable and marginalised. Ireland attaches great importance to combating all forms of discrimination, including that based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. It is of deep concern that freedom of religion and belief is in danger in many places worldwide. Members of minority religious communities, including those of Christian, Muslim and Baha’i faith, have been subjected to appalling levels of violence, discrimination, and harassment. The recent rise in the number of anti-Semitic attacks worldwide is also of serious concern. Ireland works within and alongside the EU to addressthe persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, notably with the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief adopted during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013. These Guidelines provide EU officials with an overview of the legal and policy framework within which the right to freedom of religion or belief is protected. They also elaborate an EU strategy on how to engage with third countries on the right to freedom of religion or belief, a strategy which we hope to see bear fruit as we assess the implementation of the Guidelines.

The EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019 will be adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 20 July 2015. The Action Plan forms part of the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy which was adopted by the FAC in June 2012. Its purpose is to improve the effectiveness and consistency of the EU’s policy and commits the EU to promoting human rights in all areas of its external action. Responsibility for the implementation of the Action Plan is shared between the EEAS, European Commission and EU Member States.

Within the EU, Ireland pressed for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief to be included in the Action Plan, and this is now reflected as a stand-alone point with the following actions:

Ensure that freedom of religion or belief remains high on the agenda of relations with third countries, as well as in multilateral fora, in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders; promote the exchange of best practices, and deepen awareness on the various components of freedom of religion or belief at Headquarters, EU delegations and Member State embassies.

Encourage and support relevant partner countries and other stakeholders’ initiatives on freedom of religion or belief in particular those aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of persons belonging to religious minorities, enabling them to manifest their religion or belief without fear of violence, discrimination, political pressure, censorship or persecution.

Promote inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue and the role of religious and other leaders in ensuring freedom of religion or belief.

Ireland also raises the issue of the safety of religious minorities through its official bilateral contacts with the countries in question, stressing the responsibility of the government to protect all citizens and minorities. We consistently press for effective action to counter the persecution of minorities in all relevant international fora, including the EU and UN. I personally highlighted the issue when I addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on 29 September 2014. I also raised it during my meetings with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, in September 2014 and June 2015.

I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to actively support freedom of religion or belief across our foreign policy.

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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729. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will condemn the regime of Saudi Arabia for the blatant violation of human rights and for the use of public torture, with particular reference to a person (details supplied) who has suffered at the hand of the totalitarian Saudi Arabian regime for committing no crime other than advocating freedom of speech, free thinking, and equal rights; his views that it is hypocritical to support human rights worldwide, while still trading with a country that has no concern for the rights of its own people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28425/15]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I share the Deputy’s serious ongoing concern about this case. My concern is both about the conviction of this individual for activities which would be widely regarded here as the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of opinion and expression, and about the nature of the sentence, which included corporal punishment. Concerns about this case have been raised by the European Union on behalf of its Member States, including Ireland, with the Saudi authorities. They have also been conveyed directly to representatives of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia by my Department, most recently in June of this year. The spokesperson of EU High Representative Mogherini issued a statement on this case in January 2015. This called on the Saudi authorities to suspend the flogging of this individual, a call which was echoed later in January by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

I have repeatedly expressed my hope that the Saudi authorities will answer these calls for this individual to be pardoned and for this harsh form of punishment to be urgently reviewed. While the flogging of this individual has thankfully not recommenced, the reports in June that his punishment has been confirmed by the Supreme Court are worrying. It remains my sincere hope that this individual will be pardoned.

Promotion of human rights and trade are important Irish foreign policy priorities pursued by the Government on behalf of our people. As with many countries, these are two aspects of a multi-faceted and positive relationship with Saudi Arabia. These economic exchanges and other contacts help create a context where we can get a hearing for our concerns. There are very many countries around the world with whom we would have serious human rights concerns.

Ireland does not shy away from addressing human rights concerns and is very active on these issues at the UN and within the EU. It is quite clear that we have the greatest impact on matters of foreign policy, including human rights, when 28 EU Member States speak with one voice.

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