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

111. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the criminalisation of resistance to the installation of a dam (details supplied) in Mexico; and if he will raise the issue with his Mexican counterpart. [17189/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers, as well as other difficulties faced by human rights defenders in Mexico. Our Embassy in Mexico City is monitoring developments in this particular case. In addition, I understand that this matter has already been raised by members of the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee, including through submissions to President Enrique Peña Nieto and meetings with human rights defenders on the ground.

In keeping with Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, we remain active in the field through the work of our Embassy in Mexico and through collaboration with our European and international partners. We have engaged extensively with civil society, including providing financial support through the In Country Micro Project Scheme (ICMPS)

Finally it is important to note that we contribute to the EU-Mexico high level dialogue on human rights which has an active civil society dialogue component and that the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement will include updated provisions on human rights.