Human Rights Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Questions (54)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

54. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to media reports highlighting incidences where refugees and migrants from Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia have been kidnapped in the Sinai peninsula whereupon they frequently suffer enforced labour, rape and organ harvesting; if he has communicated his concerns to the Egyptian ambassador on this matter; if he is persuing this matter at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23107/13]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I am aware of concerns regarding the current security situation in the Sinai and of various media reports about the alleged kidnapping of migrants as well as possible exploitation, forced labour and organ trafficking. It is necessary to acknowledge that there is ongoing uncertainty as to the veracity of these reports and whether they fully and accurately reflect the situation on the ground. This is not least due to prevailing insecurity in the peninsula and the difficulties involved for local authorities in effectively monitoring all movements of persons and goods through the area. Notwithstanding this, the Government takes these reports seriously, as do our EU partners, and we have raised them with the Egyptian authorities. Our Embassy in Cairo, along with the missions of other EU member States, has recently conveyed to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry concerns about the fate of migrants passing through the Sinai. We will continue to raise the issue at European level and locally, together with other interested countries.

Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 10.