Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will raise this matter with his EU colleagues and at the United Nations. [32316/21]

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

I note with concern reports regarding an outbreak of Covid-19 in Jau prison in Bahrain and reports of the death of Mr Husain Barakat.

Ireland urges all States to safeguard the human rights of prisoners and detainees, including provision of healthcare services, as set out in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules.

Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels. Our active participation at the UN Human Rights Council is particularly important in that regard. Ireland has raised the human rights issues in Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in the form of national statements and through support to EU Statements.

Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain through the European Union in other fora. At the most recent EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue in February 2021, issues of concern were raised by the EU including rule of law, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, death penalty, torture and the impact of Covid-19 on the human rights situation.

Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Bahrain, and to call on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights.