Ruth Coppinger
Question:108. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on representations made to the Egyptian authorities on the case of a person (details supplied). [28376/15]
View answerTuesday, 14 July 2015
Questions (108)
Written answers
This is a repeat of my reply to Question No. 107 (28398/15).
My Department has a very clear strategy in place focussed on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible. That strategy is based on two clear objectives: firstly to see this individual released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland and, secondly, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.
Over the last year, I have intensively engaged with the Egyptian authorities, and with EU and international partners at a very high level on this case. I have spoken to my Egyptian counterpart directly on several occasions, and raised concerns with him about the length of time our citizen has been in detention without conviction. My officials are in ongoing contact with the Egyptian Embassy here in Dublin, and with the Egyptian authorities in Cairo.
At the hearing on 3 June, which was attended by Irish officials, a number of defence lawyers requested that no further hearings would take place during the Ramadan period. The judge agreed to this and scheduled the next hearing for 2 August, at which Embassy officials will also be present.
The Taoiseach and I last met the individual's family on 4 June. At that meeting we were informed that he had indicated he was considering embarking on a hunger strike. Noting that his welfare was of paramount concern we advised against this course of action, saying it was unlikely to serve any positive purpose in his trial and would be detrimental to his health.
Embassy officials last visited our citizen on Wednesday 24 June. During this visit he informed the officials that he had relaxed his hunger strike somewhat, and it would appear that he is now taking fluids and some food. This is a welcome development.
There is no doubt that prisons abroad can be places of fear and intimidation for any Irish citizen, and this creates stress and anxiety for them and their families. The welfare of any Irish citizen imprisoned abroad is a matter taken extremely seriously by the Government. Where allegations of mistreatment have been made, my Department has taken the appropriate action.
While our citizen remains in detention, I can assure the House that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are doing everything they can to protect his welfare, and to ensure that prison conditions for him are as good as they can be.
Since his arrest in August 2013, this citizen has been visited a total of 42 times by Embassy officials. This unprecedented level of consular visitation indicates clearly the priority we are placing on doing all that we can to carefully monitor his welfare in detention, and to advocate strongly on his behalf to the Egyptian authorities.