Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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325. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to support, assist and endeavour to secure the release from prison of a person (details supplied); the extent to which the issue continues to be one of international concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33541/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has repeatedly condemned the coup carried out by the Myanmar military over one year ago. It is a reversal of the progress made towards democracy and rule of law in Myanmar which took years to establish. The people of Myanmar have consistently endorsed the democratic path and overwhelmingly reject the military coup.

Ireland has repeatedly called for the release of all those arbitrarily detained since the coup. At the Human Rights Council in March, Ireland’s National Statement specifically raised deep concerns regarding inhumane prison conditions and called for the immediate release of the State Counsellor and President.

Speaking on behalf of EU Member States, High Representative Borrell has strongly condemned the politically motivated verdicts handed down to Myanmar's leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. We believe these verdicts represent another step towards the dismantling of the rule of law, a further violation of human rights in Myanmar and an attempt to exclude democratically elected leaders from future political engagement and the inclusive dialogue process called for by ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus.

Ireland is actively engaged on the crisis in Myanmar in the context of our role on the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council has considered the situation in Myanmar nine times since the coup.

At a private meeting of the Security Council on 27 May, Ireland stressed that the international community, and the Security Council, has a responsibility to respond and to support those in Myanmar who are working steadfastly to pursue dialogue, peace and national reconciliation. Ireland is committed to ensuring that the Council continues to engage on this devastating crisis.

Through the UN and our Embassy network, we are encouraging those who have influence on the military leadership, including ASEAN and countries within the region, to use it to find a political resolution to this crisis and protect the human rights of the Myanmar people. 

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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326. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which political or religious or other opponents of various regimes globally are currently in prison illegally; if efforts continue to be made for their release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33542/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland strongly advocates for democracy, democratic values, the rule of law, civil society space and respect for human rights as key foreign policy priorities, across our bilateral, EU and multilateral engagement, including at the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN Security Council.

Ireland calls on all States to adhere to their international commitments and obligations, including for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons in arbitrary detention, including political opposition leaders. Ireland also routinely expresses concerns at the discrimination, persecution, intimidation and violence endured by religious or other minorities in various parts of the world.

Ireland has a long-term, strategic partnership with Front Line Defenders since 2001 which is supported by Irish Aid to deliver protection grants to human rights defenders to improve their security, both physical and digital, and to assist with legal fees or medical expenses.

Ireland also consistently raises the issues of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and religuous intolerance, at the UN, including through the Universal Periodic Review process, as well as through European Union Human Rights Dialogues with other countries.

At the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland has been leading a cross-regional core group on a biennial resolution on the creation and maintenance of Civil Society Space since 2013.  The most recent resolution on Civil Societry Space at the 47th session of the Human Rights Council in 2021 was unanimously adopted. At the current 50th session of the Human Rights Council, Ireland continues to express our concern on human rights issues including in relation to Afghanistan, Belarus, China (Xinjiang), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Myanmar, occupied Palestinian territory, and in light of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.