Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
79. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to raise the treatment of human rights defenders and the restriction of civil society space in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates at the United Nations Human Rights Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3915/22]
View answerRespect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to raise our concerns on human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels.
I note with concern reports regarding the treatment of human rights defenders and the restriction of civil society space in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Officials from my Department have raised Ireland’s concerns over the human rights situation in both Bahrain and the UAE with the authorities of each country.
Ireland’s active participation at the UN Human Rights Council is a particularly important forum in which to raise our concerns regarding human rights. Ireland has raised human rights issues in Bahrain at the Human Rights Council in the form of National Statements and through support to EU Statements. In October 2021 the UAE was elected to the Human Rights Council for the term 2022 – 2024. This will the third occasion that UAE has sat on the council and we hope their membership will provide scope for greater engagement on Human Rights issues.
Ireland also engages on the issue of human rights in Bahrain and the UAE as a member of the European Union. At the most recent EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue in February 2021, issues of concern were raised by the EU including rule of law, prison conditions, right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of association, death penalty, torture and the impact of Covid-19 on the human rights situation.
The UAE was the first country in the Gulf with which the EU established a Human Rights Dialogue. The most recent session took place in June 2021. Issues of concern were raised by the EU including freedom of expression, digital technology, the human rights aspects of artificial intelligence, judicial independence, reports of indefinite detention and ‘counselling centres’, and delays in informing home countries when detaining foreigners.
Ireland will continue to monitor developments in both countries, and continue to call on the Bahraini and Emirati Governments to deliver on their stated commitments to make progress in relation to human rights.
