Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 October 2022
56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request a meeting with Iranian representatives to express Ireland's outrage at the treatment and killing of protesters especially the many young women who have been killed in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49079/22]
View answer60. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland (details supplied) regarding the death in custody of a person who was arrested for wearing their hijab incorrectly, the subsequent protests across Iran and any concerns that he may have for Irish citizens currently residing in Iran. [49011/22]
View answer63. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the events in Iran following the tragic death of a person (details supplied) in Tehran; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48894/22]
View answer64. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised the recent killing by state forces of a person (details supplied) and the repression against protestors in Iran with the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48961/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 60, 63 and 64 together.
The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in Iran on 16 September, was a tragedy. The fact she was arrested simply due to the way she was dressed understandably provoked a strong response from the Iranian people and the international community. The subsequent response by the Iranian authorities to largely peaceful protestors in Iran has been extremely concerning.
I raised my concerns on the matter directly with the Iranian Foreign Minister when I met him at the UN General Assembly in New York on 21 September. I called on Iran to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of Ms Amini’s detention and death.
In my statement of October 3, I made it clear that Iran is party to a number of important international frameworks that guarantee fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, as well as the importance of upholding the rights of women and girls. Iran must adhere to its obligations under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Given that the issue of women’s rights is at the heart of the protests in Iran, I also made it clear that Ireland puts gender issues and the empowerment of women and girls at the forefront of our foreign policy. We will continue to raise these issues in our dialogue with international partners, including Iran. Senior officials in my Department are in ongoing contact with the Iranian Ambassador and the Iranian authorities are fully aware of our concerns.
In cooperation with other European Union Member States, Ireland will consider all options at our disposal to respond to the death of Masha Amini and to the actions of the Iranian authorities against the protestors.
