Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2019
44. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 8 May 2019, if he will request the United Arab Emirates authorities to ensure conditions are improved for the person. [21276/19]
View answerI remain worried about the case referred to by the Deputy. UN human rights experts last week expressed concern that the individual may have been kept in solitary confinement, and in conditions of detention which do not meet the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The experts claim that these conditions have had a serious impact on the individual's health. The UAE authorities have strongly denied these claims.
The Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi is monitoring this case, in coordination with other EU Member States. The EU delegation in Abu Dhabi, acting on behalf of EU diplomatic missions, has raised the case directly with the UAE authorities on multiple occasions, and will continue to seek updates regarding the health and well-being of the individual.
As I have stated, it is unacceptable that anyone should be imprisoned for peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms, and Ireland continually advocates for freedom for civil society actors to operate in a safe and enabling environment.
My Department will continue to monitor this case and will continue to relay Ireland's human rights concerns to the UAE authorities, whenever opportunities arise.
