Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
404. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will support a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly calling for the establishment of an independent tribunal of inquiry into the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran in 1988 and the need to bring to justice those responsible for the atrocity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35249/20]
View answerThe human rights situation in Iran is very worrying, and has long formed an important part of Ireland's engagement and dialogue with Iran. At the 45th session of the Human Rights Council in October, Ireland co-signed a Joint Statement expressing deep concern at the continuing human rights violations in Iran, making particular reference to Iran’s ill-treatment of detainees and use of the death penalty.
At the current session of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, Canada has tabled a Resolution on the situation of human rights Iran, which Ireland has co-sponsored.
The Resolution calls on Iran to “launch a comprehensive accountability process in response to all cases of serious human rights violations, including allegations of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest and detention, and torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against peaceful protesters and political prisoners." It also calls on Iran to investigate "long-standing violations involving the Iranian judiciary and security agencies, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions."
Ireland also raises concerns with Iran on human rights as a member of the EU. Since 2011, the EU has had in place restrictive measures related to violations of human rights, which list individuals and entities responsible for grave human rights violations; as well as a ban on the export to Iran of equipment which might be used for internal repression and monitoring telecommunications.
