Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
48. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on discussions he has had at European Council level relating to the persecution of the Christian population in the Middle East. [13879/17]
View answerAt the outset I would like to express my horror at the two attacks on Coptic Churches in northern Egypt on Sunday, and to extend my deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
The political turmoil which has overwhelmed many countries in the Middle East in recent years has led to increased concerns about the safety of several religious minorities and other minority groups. Daesh and other terrorist groups have attacked and murdered many communities and groups of people for their religious beliefs and/or way of life. The only means of securing the protection of Christian communities and other minorities across the Middle East is through the promotion of sustainable political solutions to the conflicts which have for so long destabilised the region and have been the key factor in the promotion of radical and extremist ideologies. Ireland has consistently called for inclusive, democratic solutions to the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa region.
More generally, Ireland is deeply concerned by the persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East. 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 combating 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 consistently raises the issues of racism and intolerance and advocates for inclusive societies at the UN Human Rights Council, during the Council’s Universal Periodic Review of the human rights records of UN Member States, as well as at the Council of Europe and the OSCE. The promotion of inclusive societies where the human rights of all individuals are respected is a core objective of our engagement on issues such as the promotion of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.
During our Presidency of the Council of Ministers in 2013, Ireland played a key role in the development and adoption of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief. These Guidelines provide a framework for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief in the EU’s external human rights policy. They emphasise the universality of this right and acknowledge its centrality to safeguarding diversity. In 2015 Ireland also pressed for the inclusion of a reference to the promotion of freedom of religion or belief in the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019.
Ireland has made freedom of religion and belief a priority of our engagement at the UN General Assembly. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have condemned all forms of persecution, intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief on a number of occasions, most recently on 24 September 2016 at the 71st Session of the UNGA. Ireland has consistently supported resolutions on freedom of religion or belief at the UN Human Rights Council, including co-sponsorship of the Resolution at the most recent session of the HRC in March.
In addition, Ireland frequently raises and will continue to raise the issue of the persecution of Christians through its official bilateral contacts, stressing the responsibility of governments 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.
