Written answers

Thursday, 26 May 2016

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diplomatic Representation

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government will review its relationship with Egypt considering the brutal crack down of the Egyptian security services on civil society, non-governmental organisations, trade union activists and other actions which endanger not just Egyptian citizens but European citizens such as persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12127/16]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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In the course of Egypt’s Universal Periodic Review, which took place during our membership of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland made a recommendation that “Egypt retract the draft legislation on civil society organisations, which threatens their independence by enabling the government to dissolve them without a court order or refuse to license new organisations on grounds including ‘national unity’”.The EU has also called on the Egyptian authorities “to respect freedom of expression and of association and assembly, enshrined in the Egyptian constitution. Disproportionate sentences against demonstrators and prominent activists, restrictions on freedom of expression, sentencing of journalists and increased pressure on civil society continue to be reason of grave concern.” Ireland continues to use its relations with Egypt, both bilaterally and through the EU, to support strengthening human rights protections which are guaranteed under the 2014 constitution which the Egyptian people approved by referendum.

Ireland makes the fullest possible use of our diplomatic relations with Egypt to support Irish citizens’ rights in Egypt, including the case mentioned by the Deputy. They are invaluable channel for communications, on this case and on the wider issues raised by the Deputy. Any change to our diplomatic relations with Egypt would undermine our capacity to represent the interests and rights of Irish citizens in Egypt.

I do not wish to make any comment on the case of another EU national, which is a matter for national Government of the person named.

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