I share the Deputy’s serious ongoing concern about this case. My concern is both about the conviction of this individual for activities which would be widely regarded here as the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of opinion and expression, and about the nature of the sentence, which included corporal punishment. Concerns about this case have been raised by the European Union on behalf of its Member States, including Ireland, with the Saudi authorities. They have also been conveyed directly to representatives of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia by my Department, most recently in June of this year. The spokesperson of EU High Representative Mogherini issued a statement on this case in January 2015. This called on the Saudi authorities to suspend the flogging of this individual, a call which was echoed later in January by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.
I have repeatedly expressed my hope that the Saudi authorities will answer these calls for this individual to be pardoned and for this harsh form of punishment to be urgently reviewed. While the flogging of this individual has thankfully not recommenced, the reports in June that his punishment has been confirmed by the Supreme Court are worrying. It remains my sincere hope that this individual will be pardoned.
Promotion of human rights and trade are important Irish foreign policy priorities pursued by the Government on behalf of our people. As with many countries, these are two aspects of a multi-faceted and positive relationship with Saudi Arabia. These economic exchanges and other contacts help create a context where we can get a hearing for our concerns. There are very many countries around the world with whom we would have serious human rights concerns.
Ireland does not shy away from addressing human rights concerns and is very active on these issues at the UN and within the EU. It is quite clear that we have the greatest impact on matters of foreign policy, including human rights, when 28 EU Member States speak with one voice.
