Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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170. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Saudi Arabia has vetoed investigations into human rights abuses in its own country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22344/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland regularly discusses human rights issues with Saudi Arabia. I met with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nizar Madani, when I visited the Kingdom last November. We had a discussion around human rights, including the position of women in society and the use of the death penalty. The Irish Embassy in Riyadh raises human rights issues directly with the Saudi authorities including, most recently, issues around religious freedom and the death penalty. We also raise human rights matters in conjunction with other EU missions in Saudi Arabia. Further, officials from my Department here in Dublin raise specific human rights cases with the Saudi Embassy in Dublin when the need arises.

This year, Saudi Arabia has had a visit from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Emmerson QC, and also from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Prof. Philip Alston. Both Special Rapporteurs highlighted a number of human rights issues that they identified during their respective visits, made recommendations to enable Saudi Arabia better comply with its international human rights obligations, and thanked the Kingdom for facilitating the visits.

Ireland, as a member of the United Nations, will support Saudi Arabia in so far as possible in implementing the recommendations of these two Special Rapporteurs. As indicated above, this includes highlighting deficiencies and problems when we see them.

I am not aware of any recent instances where Saudi Arabia vetoed investigations into human rights abuses in their own country. However, if the Deputy has information on any specific instances, I would be happy to receive and consider any details he may be able to provide.