Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the Government of Pakistan to pardon a person (details supplied); if he will highlight their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38567/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I remain very concerned about this case and my Department avails of every opportunity to convey our concerns at this conviction. The case is expected to come before the Supreme Court of Pakistan for review in the near future.

Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Pakistan, and our Embassy in Turkey is accredited to Pakistan. The Irish Ambassador in Ankara has raised this case with the Pakistani authorities on a number of occasions. Officials in my Department have also raised this case, and our concerns regarding the blasphemy laws and persecution of Christians generally, with the Embassy of Pakistan in Dublin.

I personally raised Ireland’s concerns on the blasphemy laws with my Pakistani counterpart most recently on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2016, and also with the Pakistani Chargé d’affaires en pied in January 2016. It should be noted, however, that the Irish Government cannot intervene in the judicial processes in other countries.

The European Union also continues to raise this conviction with the Pakistan authorities.

Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combatting all forms of discrimination 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. Ireland is deeply concerned by the persecution of Christians.

Ireland will also continue to raise the issue of the persecution of Christians, through its official bilateral contacts with Pakistan, stressing the responsibility of the government to protect all citizens and minorities, irrespective of their religion or belief.