Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to ongoing concerns in respect of the health and welfare of the person; if he will consider offering the person and the person's family asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48055/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Ireland works within and alongside the EU and UN to address the persecution of religious minorities wherever it occurs.

I am aware of the case of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman convicted in 2010 of Blasphemy and sentenced to death. Following an appeal, the Supreme Court of Pakistan recently overturned her conviction. Since the Supreme Court decision, I have received a number of Parliamentary Questions enquiring about the actons I have taken on this case and asking whether Ireland will offer asylum to Ms Bibi and her family.

I continue to follow developments in the case and strongly condemn all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are. Minister Flanagan raised concerns on the blasphemy laws with his Pakistani counterpart on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2016. Minister Flanagan also raised the case with the Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires en pied in January 2016. The European Union has also raised the case with the Pakistani authorities.

Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. I am well aware of the vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan and will continue to raise the issue with the Pakistan Government as well as through the framework and mechanisms of the European Union and the United Nations.

The Minister for Justice and Equality is aware of this case from his previous position as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and has followed developments in the case. Ms Bibi has not indicated a wish to come to Ireland and should such a wish be indicated, Minister Flanagan will look favourably on her case.