Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made contact with the Mexican Government concerning the reported state repression of a strike by school teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19480/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the reports of violence and deaths resulting from strikes by schoolteachers in Mexico to which the Deputy refers. These developments are of great concern and are being closely monitored by the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico.

Ireland and other EU Member States engage with the Mexican authorities on human rights and civil society-related issues on an ongoing basis. In particular the EU uses the High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights, the High-Level Political Dialogue and the Security and Justice Dialogue, as well as other channels, to raise issues related to human rights, rule of law and security with the Mexican authorities. These fora allow for open and frank discussions on human rights and related citizen security issues in Mexico and the EU.

The sixth session of the High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights between the EU and Mexico was held on 20 and 21 June, 2016 in Brussels. Both sides agreed the importance of continued cooperation in effectively addressing challenges in the area of human rights, particularly on issues such as the rule of law and the fight against impunity, missing and disappeared persons, torture, discrimination, migration, protection of vulnerable groups, and human rights defenders and journalists.

EU member states also provide support to Mexico through projects led by national and international NGOs to promote human rights as well as the role of civil society and non-state actors. For its part, Ireland has provided support to civil society and missionary organisations for development projects to improve, amongst other things, the human rights situation in Mexico.

Despite the troubling events in Mexico, Ireland recognises the country’s sincere efforts to improve the promotion and protection of human rights. We will continue to engage positively with both Government and civil society on these important issues.