Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent characterisation by the United Kingdom’s foreign secretary of Russia as a ‘mafia state’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40317/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The domestic political situation in Russia has descended into authoritarianism in recent years and has deteriorated even further since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian authorities continue to crack down on opposition politicians, civil society organisations, independent media and other critical voices with the use of repressive legislation and politically motivated prison sentences. Ireland and the EU strongly condemned the shocking death earlier this year of opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, in a Russian penal colony as yet another sign of this accelerating and systematic repression.

It has become clear that the intensifying internal repression in Russia and its external aggression go hand in hand. Russia has waged despicable and indiscriminate missile and drone attacks against civilians across Ukraine, aimed at terrorising the Ukrainian population and breaking Ukraine's spirit. At the same time, we have seen an increase in Russian hybrid attacks, including in EU Member States.

Ireland has been clear that Russia must be held accountable for its actions. In our national statements and as part of the EU, Ireland has condemned the situation of human rights in Russia at the Human Rights Council and across various international fora.

Earlier this year, Ireland welcomed the adoption of sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Regime, in view of the deterioration of the situation in Russia, including the listing in March of a number of individuals and entities linked to Mr. Navalny’s death. In May, Ireland welcomed the introduction of a stand alone sanctions regime targeting those responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses, repression of civil society and undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia. Ireland also supported calls at the June European Council for work to be taken forward on the establishment of a new sanctions regime in response to Russia’s destabilising actions abroad.

We fully support the investigations of the ICC Prosecutor in Ukraine and are engaging in discussions on the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression.