Finian McGrath
Ceist:256 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the case of a person (details supplied) with the US authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26049/03]
Written Answers. - Death Penalty.
The Government is adamantly opposed to the use of the death penalty and accordingly seeks its uni versal abolition. We believe that its abolition contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. The Deputy will be aware of the efforts we have made in conjunction with our EU partners and in accordance with the common EU guidelines on the issue of the death penalty to seek its universal abolition. The EU has pressed for abolition and has also issued démarches on the use of the death penalty in many countries. In the recent past, démarches have been made in the US, according to the EU guidelines, at both federal and state levels on behalf of a number of individuals. The EU also raised the issue in its human rights troika meetings with the US.
The EU guidelines adopted in 1998 set out clearly the common EU position on the use of the death penalty. These guidelines now form the basis for Ireland's concerted interventions, along with other EU member states, in death penalty issues. The Government firmly believes that intervention at EU level is the most effective means of addressing this issue; in view of this I propose to raise this case with our EU partners.
The abolition of the death penalty is a political priority for Ireland and our EU partners. Ireland along with our EU partners will continue to engage in dialogue with the US authorities to seek abolition of the death penalty, and are seeking in the interim the introduction of moratoria at state level and the reintroduction of the de facto moratorium at federal level. Internationally we will continue our efforts, with our EU partners, to seek the universal abolition of the death penalty.