John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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125. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the ongoing detention of defenders (details supplied) of women's rights in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28455/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Protecting and promoting human rights is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland has consistently supported women human rights defenders and continually advocates for the freedom of all civil society actors to operate in a safe and enabling environment.

The detention of women human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia is deeply concerning, and Ireland has consistently raised concerns, both bilaterally with the Saudi authorities, and in international fora, notably the Human Rights Council.

At the most recent Human Rights Council, Ireland co-signed a Joint statement which expressed deep concern at the ongoing detention of women human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia. Ireland has also co-sponsored resolutions at the Human Rights Council calling upon states to investigate alleged human rights violations in the administration of justice and abuses suffered by persons deprived of their liberty.

During the last Universal Periodic Review of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record in November 2018, Ireland raised its concern about the imprisonment of Human Rights Defenders and recommended that Saudi Arabia bring its laws into line with international standards for the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

Ireland also works closely with other EU Member States to ensure that human rights issues in Saudi Arabia are addressed, and the EU Delegation has raised the cases of the detention of women human rights defenders directly with the Saudi authorities on multiple occasions and at various levels.

We welcome that plans are advancing to establish an EU-Saudi Arabia Human Rights Dialogue. This will provide a valuable additional forum to discuss human rights issues including individual cases.