John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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392. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures the Government is taking to raise at an EU level the issue of the continued unjust detention of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I note with concern the details in the case referred to by the Deputy.

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. 

Officials from my Department have raised concerns over the human rights situation in Bahrain directly with the Bahraini authorities, including the detention of political prisoners and conditions in prisons. 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 on 27 October 2022, issues of concern raised by the EU included freedom of expression, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, and the death penalty. The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, has made representations to the Bahraini authorities on the detention of a number of individuals, including the individual you have referred to.

At the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 7 November 2022, Ireland urged Bahrain to uphold freedom of religion and belief for all persons including members of the Shia community; we regretted the reintroduction of the death penalty in 2017 following a moratorium of several years; and we urged Bahrain to carry out independent and prompt investigations into all allegations of torture or other forms of ill-treatment and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. We also recommended the immediate release of all individuals who have been arbitrarily arrested, and for the creation of a safe and enabling environment for civil society organisations and human rights defenders.

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.  

Regarding the case you have referred to, officials from my Department are in contact on an ongoing basis with the relevant authorities who are providing consular assistance. Officials from my Department are also in regular contact with the family of the individual concerned. It would not be appropriate to comment further publicly on an ongoing consular case but I can assure you that we will continue to explore all options in relation to this case.

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