Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will condemn the death sentence against a person (details supplied) by the Iranian government; if he will work to apply diplomatic pressure on the Iranian government to halt this execution and end the ongoing persecution of activists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1697/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Iran. The widespread, arbitrary, and sometimes politically-motivated use of the death penalty is an issue of particular concern.

Ireland and the EU oppose all use of the death penalty, including in Iran, and including in relation to political activism. Both the death penalty and the continued suppression of perceived opposition or human rights activism are key issues in our engagement on human rights in Iran. We raise these issues repeatedly with the Iranian authorities, both in public in international fora such as the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, and privately in direct discussions, such as the political consultations with representatives of the Iranian Foreign Ministry held in Dublin in June 2024. We will continue to raise issues such as the death penalty among other concerns both directly to Iranian officials, as well as at EU and international level. Regrettably, the rate of executions in Iran has increased significantly in recent years.

President Pezeshkian of Iran was elected after a campaign marked by his commitment to reform and increased cooperation with the EU and other States. We will continue to encourage the Iranian Government in that direction, including on urgently needed improvements in human rights.