Ruth Coppinger
Question:141. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the detention of a person (details supplied) with the Israeli authorities. [1331/18]
View answerTuesday, 16 January 2018
Questions (141, 142, 162)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:142. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the detention of children by the Israeli authorities in the occupied Palestinian territories. [1332/18]
View answer
Clare Daly
Question:162. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make a representation to the Israeli authorities in view of the incarceration of a person (details supplied); his views on the abuse of human rights and the illegal and extreme nature of the person's arrest in a midnight raid on the person's home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1637/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 142 and 162 together.
The overall human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the treatment of children in detention, remains a matter of concern. Ireland has repeatedly drawn attention to concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners. We have paid particular attention over recent years to issues related to the detention of minors. Ireland also provides financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs who are active in bringing these issues to light.
During my visit to the Middle East last week, I again raised concerns about the detention of minors directly with the Israeli authorities.
Ireland has also raised these issues at EU level and in international fora. For example, Ireland raised the issue of the detention of minors in Israel’s most recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, where we recommended, inter alia, that Israel end the practice of night arrests of children.
My Department and I will continue to press on these issues in the relevant multilateral fora, and also, where appropriate, directly with Israel.
In relation to the specific case referred to by the Deputies, an Irish diplomatic representative was present at the person in question’s hearing in Ofer military court in the West Bank on 20 December, along with other international representatives. My Department will continue to monitor that case and others.