Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the human rights situation in Bahrain; and the way in which the Irish objective criteria applies in the case of Bahrain at present. [14080/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The deterioration of the human rights situation in Bahrain has been the subject of a number of Questions in this House recently, and continues to be of considerable concern. As I have previously outlined, 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 ring hollow when there are so many examples of violations of the most fundamental freedoms, including those 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 Ireland’s concerns about the human rights situation in Bahrain. At the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council in June 2016, Ireland, on behalf of a cross-regional group of States, delivered a statement proposing possible objective criteria which could guide the Council when deciding how to act on emerging situations of concern. These criteria included, among others, whether there has been a call for action by the UN Secretary General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights or a relevant UN organ, body or agency.

These criteria, often referred to as the ‘Irish objective criteria’ may offer a useful guide, to help decide, in an objective and non-selective manner, when it is appropriate and necessary for the Council to engage with a concerned State. These same independent factors are also a valuable guide for States in assessing whether to bring a specific country to the attention of the Council by issuing for, example a statement on the matter at the Human Rights Council.

Officials from my Department raised ongoing human rights concerns with Bahrain in the context of its Universal Periodic Review, which took place in Geneva in May 2017, and more recently at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. At the Human Rights Council session earlier this month, Ireland supported an EU statement under Item 4 (Human Rights situations that require the Council’s attention) which reiterated calls on Bahrain “to maintain its commitments as to the respect of freedom of speech and human rights defenders.” Ireland also made reference to Bahrain in our national Item 4 statement.

My Department will continue to monitor the situation in Bahrain, and will continue to call on the Bahraini Government to make good on their stated commitment to make progress in the area of human rights.

My Department will continue to monitor the situation in Bahrain, and will continue to call on the Bahraini Government to make good on their stated commitment to make progress in the area of human rights.