Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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222. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assessment he has made of the growing trend of passing so-called anti-conversion laws in recent years in India, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar; the actions he has taken and will take to address the violations of religious freedom these laws impose on the citizens of countries and states which have adopted them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44290/21]

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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223. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken to express concern to the Indian Government at the new anti-conversion law recently passed in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state which will affect over 200 million persons and will curtail their religious freedom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44291/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.

I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, more commonly referred to as freedom of religion and belief. This right includes the freedom to change religion or belief as enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a fundamental freedom, I am concerned about any reported persecution because of religious belief, irrespective of where it occurs. 

Ireland's engagement on human rights issues in India, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar occurs at two levels- firstly we engage bilaterally on the ground through our Embassies and secondly at the multilateral level through the EU and UN. 

At Embassy level, for example, we meet with national Government representatives and our Embassies engage actively with EU delegations in these countries and with our EU partners when appropriate.  Our Embassy in New Delhi is monitoring developments regarding the implementation of the new anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh.

At the EU level, Ireland participates in regular EU dialogues with countries in Asia.  Furthermore, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Eamon Gilmore also engages on issues of concern in these countries.  At UN level, we make interventions at the UN Human Rights Council on any issues of concern and we are tirelessly advocating for human rights during our term on the UN Security Council. 

We continue to keep this issue under review, particularly through our Embassies accredited to these countries, and to consider whether the EU should raise these matters with the authorities during human rights dialogues with these countries.