Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2020

Wednesday, 18 November 2020

Questions (91)

Paul Murphy

Question:

91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent death in an Israeli prison of a Palestinian detainee (details supplied) who died from the medical negligence of their cancer; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the Israeli state has also withheld their remains from their family in an act of collective punishment; if he will write to the Israeli Ambassador in Ireland to call upon the government of Israel to immediately release the remains of the person to their family for a proper funeral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37357/20]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland continues to raise concerns about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

Ireland has repeatedly recalled to Israel the applicability of international human rights standards and international humanitarian law in respect of detainees, in particular obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention. During the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, Ireland made a recommendation to Israel regarding the treatment of detainees. I have raised these issues myself on my visits to the region.

With regard to the specific case the Deputy mentions, Irish officials are aware of this case and have been following it closely. 

Ireland and the EU provide financial support to Israeli and Palestinian NGOs who are active in bringing these issues to light, including in respect of this case.