Vol. 428 No. 1
91 Mr. Shatter asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to a report published in February 1993, by a Christian human rights organisation (details supplied) which details persecution suffered by Christian communities in a number of countries including Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Malaysia; and the steps, if any, the Government are taking both at EC level and in the United Nations with regard to this report.
I am aware of the report mentioned by the Deputy. Support for human rights, including the promotion of religious tolerance, is fundamental to Irish foreign policy. I view with great concern reports which provide evidence that violations of religious freedom occur in many countries around the world.
Ireland is active within the United Nations in seeking to promote religious tolerance and to ensure that all persons can practice their religion freely, without discrimination and safe from persecution. Each year we are the main sponsor of a resolution on religious intolerance at the United Nations General Assembly and of a similar resolution at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights under which the Commission mandates a Special Rapporteur to examine situations of religious intolerance and to recommend remedial measures. Over the years, the Special Rapporteur has had occasion to consider the situation in a number of countries.
This year's report, a copy of which I have placed in the Dáil Library, contains material in relation to the four countries mentioned by the Deputy.
