Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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94. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had with his counterparts in Bahrain with regard to the ongoing detention of a person (details supplied) whose case has been highlighted in a United Nations statement; the engagement has he had with the Bahraini government with regard to the detention of human rights defenders in the country; his plans to call for the unconditional release of all human rights defenders currently detained in Bahrain in addition to the lifting of all conditions and restrictions on human rights defenders already released under the Bahraini alternative punishments law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3960/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

I note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy Connolly. Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the Bahraini authorities, including the specific case of Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja.

Our active participation at the UN Human Rights Council is a particularly important fora in which to raise our concerns regarding human rights. 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 as a member of the European Union. 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.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, has also made representations to the Bahraini authorities on human rights issues and the detention of a number of individuals including Mr Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja.

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

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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95. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had with his counterparts in United Arab Emirates with regard to the ongoing detention of a person (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to a report on the matter; the details of any visits that were planned or carried out by representatives of Ireland to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3961/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

I note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy Connolly. Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in the United Arab Emirates directly with the Emirati authorities, including the specific case of Mr Ahmed Mansoor. As Mr Mansoor is not an Irish national, Irish officials do not have a consular right to visit him.

In October 2021 the UAE was elected to the Human Rights Council for the term 2022 – 2024. This will the third occasion that UAE has sat on the council and we hope their membership will provide scope for greater engagement on Human Rights issues.

Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in the UAE as a member of the European Union. The UAE was the first country in the Gulf with whom the EU established a Human Rights Dialogue, the most recent session took place in June 2021, issues of concern were raised by the EU including freedom of expression, digital technology, the human rights aspects of AI, judicial independence, reports of indefinite detention and ‘counselling centres’, and delays in informing home countries when detaining foreigners.

Ireland will continue to monitor developments in the UAE, and to call on the Emirati Government to deliver on their stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights.