Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
633. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position in respect of a person (details supplied); if representations have been made by Ireland to the Government of Pakistan on that person's behalf, in particular to ensure the person's health and safety is protected and that the person is released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30309/15]
View answerI remain very concerned about this case and my Department avails of every opportunity to convey our concerns at this conviction.
Ireland does not have a resident Embassy in Pakistan, and our Embassy in Turkey is accredited to Pakistan. The former Irish Ambassador accredited to Pakistan (from Ankara, Turkey) conveyed our concern at this conviction on a number of occasions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, most recently in early November 2014. In the course of his meetings there in November 2014, he met with a senior Pakistani Foreign Ministry representative and raised this case, noting that it is a matter of grave concern in Ireland. Officials in my Department have also raised this case, and our concerns regarding the blasphemy laws and persecution of Christians generally, with the Embassy of Pakistan.
The European Union also continues to raise this conviction with the Pakistan authorities, including through the EU Delegation in Islamabad. In the course of a statement made on behalf of the then EU High Representative Catherine Ashton at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 22 October 2014, it was noted that the EU, particularly its Delegation in Islamabad, would continue to both follow the case closely and to advocate for the verdict to be overturned. While not trying to intervene in an ongoing court case, the Statement noted that the EU would use any opportunity to raise this case and the wider issues of the death penalty and blasphemy law, with Pakistan.
On 18 October 2014, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service expressed deep concern and sadness at the High Court decision to uphold this conviction. They also called on Pakistan to ensure for all its citizens, full respect of human rights as guaranteed by international conventions to which it is party.
The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr Stavros Lambrinidis, also visited Pakistan in October 2014 where he held an in depth dialogue with the Pakistan authorities on key human rights issues.
A spokesperson for the European External Action Service issued a statement on executions in Pakistan on 10 June 2015, in which the EU Spokesperson reiterated its opposition to capital punishment in all cases, and called on Pakistan to reinstitute the moratorium on executions and to fully respect all of its international obligations.
Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combatting all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Ireland is deeply concerned by the persecution of Christians.
Ireland and the EU consistently press for effective action to counter the persecution of minorities in all relevant international fora, including at the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council, of which Ireland is currently a member. Ireland reiterated its commitment to defending the right to freedom of religion or belief during a recent UN Security Council debate on the victims of attacks and abuses on ethnic or religious grounds in the Middle East, on 27 March 2015. I personally highlighted the issue when I addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on 29 September 2014 and the UN Human Rights Council at its 28th session in March 2015. I also raised it during my meetings with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, in September 2014 and May 2015.
Ireland also works within and alongside the EU to address the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, notably with the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief adopted during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013. These Guidelines provide EU officials with an overview of the legal and policy framework within which the right to freedom of religion or belief is protected.
Ireland will also continue to raise the issue of the persecution of Christians, through its official bilateral contacts with the countries in question, stressing the responsibility of the government to protect all citizens and minorities, irrespective of their religion or belief.
I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to actively support freedom of religion or belief across our foreign policy.
