Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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728. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the execution of 47 persons in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 2 January 2016; if he has made representations to the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on this matter; if he supports the continuation of representation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on human rights bodies in the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1097/16]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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729. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the political and diplomatic situation in the Middle East following the execution of Nimr Al-Nimr and the resulting tensions between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1098/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 728 and 729 together.

I am firmly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and Ireland works for its suspension and abolition around the world. We have expressed concern about its increased use of late in a number of countries, including the recent cases in Saudi Arabia which I condemn without reservation.

The abolition of the death penalty is one of Ireland’s priorities at the United Nations, one which we pursued while a member of the UN Human Rights Council. For example, Ireland made a statement at the Council on 21 September 2015 voicing clear concern in relation to another death penalty case in Saudi Arabia.

These and other human rights issues are raised with the Saudi authorities, usually in conjunction with our EU partners with a view to trying to maximize the impact of our representations. In addition to the concerns in the case of Sheik Al-Nimr raised in her statement of 2 January 2016, High Representative Mogherini stated in July 2015 that the EU will continue to closely follow the issue of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia in general, and to voice its concern through appropriate diplomatic channels.

The representation of States to bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council is determined by election by the Member States of the United Nations.

The execution of Mr Al-Nimr and the protests in which mobs illegally attacked Saudi diplomatic offices in Iran are increasing sectarian divisions that threaten the stability of the Middle East region. I am concerned, in particular, about the possible implications of these tensions for the tentative steps towards peace in Syria which had been achieved by the International Syria Support Group, and I urge Iran and Saudi Arabia to avoid further actions which could contribute to regional tensions.