Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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159. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the matter of the treatment of LGBT persons in Chechnya at a European level with a view to exerting diplomatic and other pressure on the Chechen Government to immediately cease its persecution of LGBT persons there. [22413/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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160. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to provide a safe path for LGBT persons in Chechnya to flee their country. [22414/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 160, inclusive, together.

I am aware of alarming reports by international human rights organisations and in the media of a campaign of abduction, abuse and ill-treatment of men in the Chechen Republic on the basis of their sexual orientation. If confirmed, these actions would amount to serious violations of fundamental human rights.

Last week, senior Departmental officials met the Russian Ambassador at my request to convey my grave concerns, and those of the Irish public, at these reports. During the meeting, my officials urged the Russian authorities to fully investigate these allegations, to ensure that any such persecution is ended immediately, to provide all affected persons with the assistance they require, and to ensure the safety of activists and journalists investigating the reports of abuse in Chechnya.

In a statement delivered to the Seanad on my behalf by Minister Helen McEntee on 12 April, I joined in the widespread calls for the Russian Government to urgently undertake a full and thorough investigation into these reports and to ensure that any individuals found to have committed crimes be brought to justice. I also emphasised Russia’s international obligations to protect all persons who may be at risk of persecution. This call was reiterated by the Irish Ambassador to the Council of Europe at a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg on 19 April.

The European Union is also pressing the Russian authorities to ensure that the allegations are fully investigated and that those fleeing persecution are given full protection. The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini raised the matter during a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on 24 April. HR Mogherini highlighted the serious concerns of the European Union and its Member States over the allegations and urged the Russian government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the rights of the gay community in Chechnya are respected, in line with Russia’s international human rights commitments.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

Issues relating to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons have consistently featured over recent years in our dialogue with Israeli authorities, both here in Ireland and in Israel, as well as in our discussions at EU and UN level. These issues include both the numbers of Palestinian prisoners, some being held under administrative detention without trial, and the conditions in which prisoners are held.

Ireland raised particular concerns about the detention of minors in our intervention at the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013.

It is only fair to acknowledge that similar concerns about conditions in prisons could be expressed about many other countries in the region and elsewhere.

In relation to the current situation, I am of course deeply concerned by the hunger strike involving a large number of prisoners, now in its fourth week. We cannot support the use of hunger strikes as a means of exerting pressure. There is a real risk of attitudes hardening on either side, leading to tragedy. We do not want to say anything that could add to that risk. I am aware that previous hunger strikes have been resolved, allowing a tragic outcome to be avoided.

I do not wish to comment therefore on the specific issues which the strikers have apparently raised. However, I would reiterate our essential position – which should be an obvious one, and which applies to all prisoners – which is that detained Palestinians should have the same protections and conditions that Israel affords its own citizens.

My Department raised our concerns about the hunger strike with the Israeli Ambassador on 9 May. They have also been raised in a bilateral meeting with the Israeli mission at the EU on 10 May.

The EU missions in Palestine issued a statement on Saturday concerning the hunger strikes and issues related to conditions of detention, and calling on Israel to respect fully the rights of prisoners.

I addressed these matters at slightly more length in response to a Topical Issues debate in the house yesterday, and I would direct the Deputy also to my statement on that occasion.