Written answers

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Middle East

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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361. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts the Government is undertaking to protect the health of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62768/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. Irish officials are monitoring this matter, in cooperation with partners on the ground. 

As I outlined in my response to Questions 16, 23 and 24 of 18 November, Ireland supports the statement by the EU Delegation in Jerusalem on 5 November, calling on Israel to respect international law and avoid loss of life in this case, and reiterating the right of all detainees to a fair trial. I share the concerns raised by EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore on 16 November regarding the deteriorating health of this individual.

I also support the call made on October 21 by UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, and the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, to end completely the practice of administrative detention. 

Ireland, and the EU, have repeatedly raised the treatment of Palestinian prisoners with the Israeli authorities. At the Human Rights Council, Ireland has called on the Israeli authorities, in accordance with their obligations under Article 9 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to refrain from conducting arbitrary arrests and to follow the acceptable procedure established by law regarding arrest and detention.

Both Ireland and the EU also provide financial support to NGOs in Israel and in oPt who are active in bringing issues regarding the treatment of detainees to light.

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