asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has protested or will protest about the action of the Polish authorities in molesting Amnesty International operators in Poland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amnesty International Operators.
18.
I presume that the Deputy's question refers to recent Press reports of an incident which occurred in early October in Poland when three people, who had set up a table in a Warsaw park for the purpose of collecting signatures for the Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience Year campaign, were arrested and detained for questioning by the Polish authorities. The three were subsequently released so that I did not consider that the incident called for any action on my part.
Would the Minister have regard to a principle with which he expressed agreement earlier that it is necessary for this country to protest in all cases where human rights are violated so as to make it clear that we are being thoroughly objective and that we are not having regard to the complexion of the regime? If we participate in protests against South Africa we should participate in protests against regimes of a different political hue, to maintain our objectivity and our reputation.
I agree that there should be no discrimination in regard to human rights. They are fundamental and should apply across the board. That is our attitude. We took action behind the scenes on this aspect. Obviously other countries did too, and the Polish authorities responded fairly promptly in the matter. That is sometimes the best way to deal with a situation of this kind, but I share the Deputy's view completely.