Ireland, together with our partners in the European Union, engages in dialogue with the Russian Federation on a range of human rights issues in the overall context of developing positive Irish and EU relations with Russia. Freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is a right which is to be protected under all circumstances. Promotion and protection of this human right therefore is a priority for Ireland's and the EU's overall human rights policy.
I share the deep concerns of the UN committee against torture expressed in its report of May 2002, in relation to "numerous and consistent allegations of widespread torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of detainees committed by law enforcement personnel" in Russia. Ireland, along with our partners, continues to urge the Russian Federation to adhere to the international humanitarian and human rights standards that prohibit the torture or ill-treatment of persons, in particular the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
In this context I also view with concern the findings of the recent Amnesty International report, The Russian Federation – Denial of Justice, which sets out alleged specific and serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by the Russian authorities.
The Government attaches great importance to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which is central to the protection and promotion of children's rights on a global level and has achieved almost universal ratification. Ireland expects the Russian Federation to fulfil its obligations under this convention, to which it is a party.
Ireland is committed to the elimination of violence against women. In this regard, Ireland places great importance in the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women as a legally-binding instrument, which explicitly aims at the recognition and protection of the human rights of women and calls upon all states to adhere to their obligations under this convention. Ireland raises its concerns in relation to violence against women in international fora such as the UN General Assembly and the UN Commission on Human Rights. At the 58th session of the Commission on Human Rights Ireland co-sponsored resolutions on the "Elimination of Violence Against Women", and "Traffic in Women and Girls".
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to raise human rights concerns in Russia on a bilateral basis with the Russian Federation, in concert with our EU partners, and in international fora.
