Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 June 2015
209. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the case of an artist (details supplied) who has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison as a result of artwork and activism, with the Iranian authorities; his plans on doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25221/15]
View answerMy Department raised a number of human rights issues with the Iranian authorities in January 2015, during political consultations with the visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Takht-Ravanchi. These included the issue of freedom of expression in Iran.I raised human rights issues myself during my meeting with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mr. Larijani, on 16 June, focusing on that occasion on the issues of the death penalty and the treatment of minorities. I had not at that point become aware of the case mentioned by the Deputy. As I have made clear in response to previous questions, my Department cannot attempt to follow and make representations on every human rights case that is brought to our attention around the world. For this reason, much of our action on human rights is conducted through the EU, or focused on the overall principle rather than specific cases. I agree, nonetheless, that this case is a matter of concern, and I will ensure that those concerns are conveyed to the Iranian authorities at an early appropriate opportunity.
