While Ireland’s bilateral diplomatic relations with Pakistan are maintained by secondary accreditation via our Embassy in Ankara and through the Pakistani Embassy in Dublin, we continue to work through the mechanisms of the EU and the UN to ensure that human rights are respected in Pakistan and elsewhere. In particular, the EU adopted a 5 year engagement plan with Pakistan in 2012 which we will continue to work with partners to implement during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU. Furthermore, the protection of the rights of women, and protection against gender-based violence is a priority outcome in the EU Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy.
The five year engagement plan aims to build a strategic EU-Pakistan relationship by forging a partnership for peace and development rooted in shared values, principles and commitments. A Strategic EU relationship with Pakistan is of vital interest to Europe as well as Pakistan. The start of the Strategic Dialogue and the visit by High Representative Ashton in June 2012 demonstrated the importance that the EU attaches to Pakistan and its role in the region.
The EU engages in regular dialogue with Pakistan on human rights and democratic principles, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The EU has called on the Pakistani authorities, at the highest level, to adopt measures to protect individual and minority rights in line with its Constitution and with international human rights standards and conventions. Further, the EU has made clear to the Government of Pakistan that under its constitutional and international requirements it has a responsibility to protect its citizens.
At the UN level, the Deputy will be aware that Ireland was elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the period 2013-2015 in late 2012. During our term at the HRC Ireland will work with partners on a range of issues, including Pakistan which has also been elected to the HRC for the term 2013-2015.
In addition, during Pakistan’s most recent UN Universal Periodic Review in October 2012, Ireland urged the Government of Pakistan to give consideration to adopting measures to protect individual and minority rights in line with its Constitution and with international human rights standards and conventions, and recommended that the government of Pakistan invite the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders to conduct an independent visit to Pakistan.
