Finian McGrath
Question:44 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on human rights, the role of the EU and the UN in Colombia, Kurdistan and Sri Lanka. [26977/12]
View answerWednesday, 6 June 2012
Questions (54, 55)
Written answers
Human rights are a cornerstone of Ireland's foreign policy. With our European Union partners, we monitor closely the human rights situations in many countries throughout the world. We do this on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources, including the United Nations, the EU and other international organisations, as well as civil society organisations.
The Deputy will be aware of the Government's concerns about indications of continuing human rights abuses in Colombia, where trade unionists, human rights activists and people who were displaced from their lands over the course of the civil conflict are among the vulnerable groups. The efforts of President Santos' administration since August 2010 to improve the situation should, however, be acknowledged. These efforts include the passage of the landmark Victims' Rights and Land Restitution legislation (2011) and a conference on human rights which is scheduled to take place at the end of 2012.
The Deputy will also be aware of the EU's policy of engagement and dialogue with the Government of Colombia. Ireland actively supports this policy. We believe it offers the best way to further the objectives of supporting democracy and improving the human rights situation there. We will continue to monitor the situation and to support the Colombian Government's efforts, both in partnership with the EU and in our bilateral contacts with Colombia.
Ireland is active on human rights issues in Sri Lanka, both at EU level and in the UN Human Rights Council. We were to the fore in the EU decision to suspend GSP+ status for Sri Lankan exports in 2010. We have conveyed our concerns directly to officials at the Sri Lankan Embassy in London and again at the UN in Geneva on 22 March 2012. We support engagement with Sri Lanka to address these issues. It is important, however, that the Sri Lankan Government demonstrates a genuine commitment to the protection of human rights in Sri Lanka, to reconciliation among the country's communities and to a political solution to the divisions on the island.
The particular difficulties faced by the Kurdish population in a number of countries vary from one to the other. We continue to avail, both bilaterally and at EU level, of all appropriate opportunities to engage with the countries concerned on the general human rights situation in each, including specific issues concerning the Kurds and other minorities.
There are minority Kurdish populations in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, each of which has expressed grievances centred on issues of identity. In Iran, Iraq and Turkey, the situation has at various times been greatly complicated by the existence of armed groups seeking an independent Kurdish state. This has led to armed conflict and has exacerbated human rights difficulties. The general human rights situation in Syria and Iran, in particular, is profoundly disturbing; the protection of minority rights in these countries gives rise to particular concern.
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:45 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made representations on an EU and UN level regarding the increase in the number of executions being carried out by the Iranian Mullah regime; if he has made representations to the Swiss Government in relation to Mr. Fariborz Firoozi, arrested on 4 May, and still in custody in Switzerland, awaiting deportation to Iran where he risks being executed by the Mullah regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26994/12]
View answerAs I have repeatedly stated in the past, the human rights situation in Iran is profoundly disturbing. The period since the Presidential election of 2009 has been characterised by an intensification of human rights violations on many fronts. Of particular concern are the high level of executions, including executions after trials which failed the most basic standards of natural justice, including the absence of any right of appeal or rights of defence. Equally, capital sentences are imposed for a number of offences which, according to international standards, should not result in such punishment. I am also concerned about the continuing imposition of the death penalty against minors, in violation of Iran's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the practice of secret executions in Iran which has been highlighted by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran.
Ireland has spoken out consistently against such abuses. At EU level, we fully supported High Representative Ashton's statement of 30 May, following an earlier statement last January, in which she expressed her deep concern about the alarming increase in the number of reported executions in Iran, in sharp contrast to the worldwide trend towards the abolition of the death penalty. The High Representative also called on Iran to commute all death sentences for offences not considered to be among the most serious crimes by international standards. Ireland has also supported the High Representative's call on Iran to halt the execution of Sakineh Ashtiani and Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani and all pending executions and to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty.
Given the gravity of these abuses as well as the unwillingness of the Iranian Government to redress these entrenched practices, the EU felt compelled in April 2011 to adopt wide-ranging sanctions against those responsible for committing grave human rights violations, including a stringent travel ban and asset freeze. Last October the latter was extended to include additional individuals. These strong measures send an important political signal to all those in the Iranian judicial system and elsewhere who perpetrate human rights abuses. It leaves them in no doubt about Ireland's and the EU's resolve to ensure that fundamental freedoms and human rights are fully respected.
Ireland also continues to be active at UN level in highlighting the serious human rights situation in Iran. This includes our co-sponsorship both of a General Assembly resolution, adopted last October, which expressed the international community's deep concern at the human rights situation in Iran and of a Resolution, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on 22 March, which welcomed the report and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and expressed serious concern at the developments noted in that report. At a bilateral level, my Department also engages in ongoing dialogue with the Iranian Ambassador and his Embassy and regularly conveys our grave concerns at the human rights situation in Iran, including the unacceptable use of the death penalty.
In relation to the particular case mentioned, I understand that Mr. Fariborz Firoozi is a young Iranian activist who fled Iran in fear of imprisonment and persecution. Mr. Firoozi is currently being held in detention by the Swiss authorities. He is in the process of being transferred to Hungary under the terms of EU Regulation 2003/343 (otherwise known as the Dublin II agreement) which established the criteria and mechanisms for determining the member State responsible for examining an asylum application lodged by a third-country national.
Switzerland became party to this Regulation in June 2005. It determines the EU member State responsible for examining an application by any asylum-seeker seeking international protection under the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951 relating to refugee status. As Hungary in this case is deemed responsible for considering Mr. Firoozi's application under the terms and criteria of the Geneva Convention, it is not in Ireland's jurisdiction and competence to assess the merit of his application for refugee status. We have no reason either to believe that Mr. Firoozi's basic entitlements will not be adequately sustained in the relevant procedure to be initiated in Hungary under Regulation 2003/343. It is worth recalling that this foresees a review mechanism should Mr. Firoozi wish to appeal an eventual negative decision.