Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to an open letter to the UN Security Council from more than a dozen Nobel laureates, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, criticising Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s de facto leader, for a bloody military crackdown on minority Rohingya people, warning of a tragedy amounting to ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3030/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the open letter to which the Deputy refers. The Government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Rakhine State in the wake of attacks on police posts near Myanmar/Burma’s border with Bangladesh in October 2016. Ireland has called for an immediate end to violence in the region, and for an impartial, independent investigation into serious allegations of human rights violations committed by security forces in response to the attacks. Also critical is full restoration of access for humanitarian aid to Rakhine State, to ensure vulnerable communities receive the support they need.

Ireland has been active in raising our concerns at bilateral level with the authorities in Myanmar/Burma and in the context of our membership of the EU and the UN. Ireland’s Ambassador to Thailand, who is accredited to Myanmar/Burma, raised Ireland’s concerns regarding the situation in Rakhine State with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin during a visit to the country earlier this month. The Embassy continues to monitor the situation closely.

Ireland welcomes the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015. We recognise the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth. The Irish Government is of the view that respect for human rights and the rule of law for all people in Myanmar/Burma remains central to the long-term success of these goals. Addressing the underlying root causes of tensions in Rakhine State, in a manner that takes account of the concerns of the Rohingya and Buddhist communities, and led by the Government of Myanmar/Burma, is critical in this context.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the execution of three prisoners in Bahrain on 15 January 2017 and claims concerning same (details supplied); and if he will raise the execution of these prisoners with his Bahraini counterparts. [3047/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the recent executions in Bahrain, and of the allegations that these persons were tortured and subjected to unfair trials prior to the executions. It is disappointing to see Bahrain revert to using the death penalty, which they have not done since 2010. This move is a backwards step in Bahrain’s efforts to improve its human rights record, and only serves to reinforce the concerns that I have expressed in this House about the human rights situation in Bahrain of late.

I am also aware that last week’s executions triggered public protests and demonstrations. I call on the protesters and the Bahraini authorities alike to exercise restraint, for the protesters to express their views peacefully and for the authorities to permit them to do this. I remind the Bahraini Government that preventing people from expressing their views does not quash people’s grievances; it only reinforces them.

Ireland is unequivocal in its stance on the death penalty. We oppose and condemn its use in all circumstances, and in particular in cases where there are allegations of unfair trials preceding its implementation. The abolition of the death penalty is one of Ireland’s international priorities, and my Department regularly conveys our stance on this issue to all countries where the death penalty is still in use.

These executions are a worrying development, as they coincide with an overall deterioration in the human rights situation in Bahrain, in particular targeting those who express dissent or criticism of the Bahraini Government. This is despite repeated statements from the Bahraini authorities of their commitment to improving the human rights situation in that country. Ireland made specific reference to Bahrain in our Item 4 Statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva last September, expressing concern about “restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association aimed at silencing the voice of civil society and human rights defenders in countries including Bahrain”.

Ireland’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who is accredited to Bahrain as we do not have an Embassy there, recently met with the Bahraini Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Abdullah Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and they discussed human rights. My Department will also specifically raise the renewed use of the death penalty with Bahrain at the next available opportunity, and we will continue to call on Bahrain to live up to its commitments to improve the human rights situation for all Bahrainis.