Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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426. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will support the imposition of sanctions on Belarus through membership of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12530/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned by the ongoing human rights situation in Belarus. We continue to see the daily harassment and intimidation of civil society, journalists and independent media, unjust detentions and apparent attempts to criminalise human rights work. The repression of the Belarusian people, who are peacefully and courageously defending their democratic and human rights, is totally unacceptable.

As is well known, a concern for human rights is at the core of Ireland's international engagement. We have been very clear that the violations of human rights in Belarus must end immediately. Allegations of such violations need to be independently, transparently and credibly investigated and all those unjustly detained, including political prisoners, must be released. These are fundamental principles for us and this is what we and the EU have communicated during the latest session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

We continue to support civil society in Belarus along with our EU partners, while pressing the Belarusian authorities to adhere to their international obligations and commitments. One such measure is through the imposition of targeted sanctions. There have now been three tranches of EU sanctions imposed against individuals responsible for the ongoing repression of the Belarusian people and businesses which benefit from or support the regime. Ireland is open to further restrictive measures and we have communicated this to our EU colleagues.

I can assure you that Ireland will keep the situation high on the international agenda and do what we can to bring about a peaceful, inclusive and democratic resolution to the current crisis.