Vol. 424 No. 8
211 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government intends to sign and ratify the Sixth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the abolition of the death penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The question of signature and ratification of the Sixth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the abolition of the death penalty has not yet been considered by the Government.
212 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether Government has withdrawn Ireland's reservation to article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the death penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The declaration made by Ireland with respect to Article 6, Paragraph 5, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which deals with the death penalty for minors, is no longer applicable, as the death penalty in Ireland was abolished completely by the Criminal Justice Act, 1990.
The declaration in question was made when Ireland ratified this Covenant in December, 1989. At the time, the declaration reflected the Government's intention to introduce legislation removing the death penalty from the statute books and to comply with the spirit of the Article's provisions.
The UN Human Rights Committee, which oversees implementation of the terms of the Covenant by States parties, has been notified of Ireland's withdrawal of this declaration.
