Ireland which is a member of the Human Rights Council as of this month is, and has always been, fully committed to ensure that sexual assaults against women are condemned and eliminated. The same holds true for all the Member States of the European Union. The EU has made protection of the rights of women and protection against gender-based violence a key feature of the EU's Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy. The EU has also sought to clear the way for greater cooperation between the EU and the UN on this agenda. Rape and sexual assault cannot be tolerated, regardless of the gender, status or circumstance of the victim, or whether the assault occurred in Ireland or abroad. I condemn unreservedly the recent attacks which have taken place in India and I am aware that there have been reported widespread expressions of outrage there too. I note that the Indian prosecutorial system has brought a number of men before the courts to be charged and tried in relation to these two recent, specific incidents which have been reported worldwide in the media.
The next meeting of the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue is scheduled to take place this month and the issue of women’s rights will be discussed. I have asked the officials in our Embassy in New Delhi to participate fully in the preparatory discussions for this Dialogue.
