John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the arrest of a human rights defender (details supplied) who has been detained under trumped up charges in India; his plans to respond to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32147/20]

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

The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of this case concerning the arrest of a human rights defender in India on 8 October who is currently detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Our Embassy in New Delhi has engaged on the matter through the EU Delegation,  including with the National Human Rights Commission of India, particularly in view of the advanced years of the human rights defender in question.

Protection and promotion of human rights defenders is a priority of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland welcomed the commitment at the EU-India Summit last July to renewed dialogue on human rights and we will engage actively with our EU partners in this context.