Written Answers Nos. 1-182
174. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will, at the next periodic review at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Iran, follow through on the recommendations of the previous Council in relation to the situation of the Baha'i in Iran. [15183/15]
View answerThe Universal Periodic Review of Iran took place at the Human Rights Council in October 2014. The next Periodic Review of Iran is likely to take place in April 2019. Our approach in each Periodic Review is determined by the situation prevailing at the time, including the extent to which recommendations accepted during previous reviews have been implemented.
Ireland intervened in the October 2014 review of Iran, expressing concern and making recommendations about the situation of some religious minorities and the use of the death penalty in Iran. I regret that Iran accepted neither of the two recommendations we made.
We have real concerns about the significant persecution which some groups, including those of the Bahá'í faith, are subject to in Iran. The UPR is not the only forum in which these concerns are expressed.
During my address to the Human Rights Council on 4 March, I stated that "freedom of Religion and Belief is in peril in many places worldwide, with members of minority religious communities, including those of Christian, Muslim and Bahá'í faith, disproportionately affected by violence, discrimination, and harassment." Ireland also recently raised the Bahá'í with the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and directly with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister on a visit to Dublin.
My Department maintains regular contact with the Irish Bahá'í community.
Ireland, along with the EU, will continue to encourage progress in relation to human rights issues in Iran, including the plight of some religious minorities, and to express our concerns to Iranian authorities at every appropriate opportunity.
181. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress, to date, in establishing a visa waiver scheme at the embassy of the United States of America in Dublin, for returning emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15238/15]
View answerAchieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US is a priority for the Government in our contacts with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the US, we continue to work closely with high level Government contacts and with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond. All of this work is aimed at achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the United States and improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America. Throughout his recent visit to the US and in a series of high level contacts with the US Administration, with Congress and at State level, the Taoiseach raised the issue of immigration reform and the plight of the undocumented Irish, stressing that almost every family in Ireland is related to or knows somebody who is caught up in this deeply distressing situation.
During his meeting with President Obama on 17 March the Taoiseach commended him on his executive action announced late last year. The Deputy would be aware that this action is currently the subject of legal proceedings in the US federal courts. The Taoiseach emphasised the need to allow the undocumented to come out of the shadows and be free to travel home for family events. He also highlighted the issue of those amongst the Irish undocumented who might be eligible for visas, but who would be required to return to Ireland for their issuance and hence would require waivers for their prior period of undocumented residence.
The Taoiseach also pointed to the need for a legal pathway to allow for future Irish immigration to the US for those who wish to make a contribution there, expressing the hope that a political way forward could be found on this issue which would encourage progress on a comprehensive legislative package by Congress. President Obama spoke of his executive actions on immigration reform and acknowledged the contribution of Irish immigrants to America’s development. He considered that one of the great strengths of the United States had always been its willingness to welcome new immigrants to its shores.
I also raised immigration reform issues, including the possibility of immigration reform legislation and the question of visa waivers, when I met with Vice President Biden in Boston on 30 March. I have also had the opportunity to discuss these matters on a number of occasions with US Ambassador O’Malley.
In addition, the Taoiseach discussed immigration issues with Congressman Paul Ryan during his recent visit to Dublin on 30 March.
The Government as a whole, including my Department in Dublin and our Embassy in Washington, will continue to actively follow up on all of the issues raised in recent contacts with the US Administration, with Congress and with the US Embassy in Ireland.
182. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if representations were made by him or his Department in the case of a person (details supplied), a prisoner in the United States of America, who has had health difficulties recently. [15281/15]
View answerI am aware of this case. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not made representations on behalf of the individual in question. T he Department does not have a consular role in this case as the individual is not an Irish citizen.
As a signatory to the International Covenant on Social Economic and Cultural Rights, Ireland supports the right of all people to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health as enshrined in Article 12 of that Covenant.
