Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has been sentenced to prison for criticising the Bahraini Government; his views on the prosecution and sentence; his further views on whether it demonstrates that the Bahraini Government will go to severe lengths to crackdown on free speech; and if he will raise the person's conviction with his Bahraini counterpart. [11913/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I remain very concerned about the human rights situation in Bahrain. Despite repeatedly stating its commitment to improving its human rights record, the Bahraini Government appears to be targeting those who express disagreement with or criticism of the Government. A number of worrying developments suggest an increasingly restrictive attitude to those opposing or challenging the Government in any way. Statements from the Bahraini Government on its commitment to safeguarding human rights enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution are undermined by many examples of violations of fundamental freedoms, including violations of freedom of opinion and expression.

Ireland’s concerns about human rights issues and restrictions of civil liberties in Bahrain is regularly conveyed to the Bahraini authorities, including through the Bahraini Embassy in London and through Ireland’s (non-resident) Ambassador to Bahrain. Most recently, last month, officials from my Department met with the Ambassador of Bahrain and Embassy officials in Dublin, and raised concerns about the human rights situation in Bahrain.

Officials from my Department also raised ongoing human rights concerns with Bahrain in the context of its Universal Periodic Review, which took place in Geneva in May 2017. In advance of this review, the Irish Mission to the UN in Geneva supported an event by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, where human rights concerns in the Kingdom were discussed. Ireland also made specific reference to Bahrain in our Item 4 (Human Rights situations that require the Council's attention) Statement at the Human Rights Council in Geneva in September 2016, 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”.

I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy, and of recent reports of the additional sentence that has been handed down in the case in question. Ireland attaches a high priority to safeguarding human rights defenders, such as the person referred to by the Deputy.

My Department will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Bahrain, and will utilise every appropriate opportunity to raise Ireland’s concerns with the Bahraini authorities.