Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2015
360. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will call on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan's Irish embassy to condemn the brutality and persecution being directed against Christian and other minority groups within its borders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35766/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. Ireland is deeply concerned by the persecution of Christians, and officials in my Department have conveyed our concern in this regard to the Embassy of Pakistan. Ireland and the EU consistently press for effective action to counter the persecution of minorities in all relevant international fora, including at the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council, of which Ireland is currently a member. Ireland reiterated its commitment to defending the right to freedom of religion or belief during a UN Security Council debate on 27 March 2015. I personally highlighted the issue when I addressed the UN Human Rights Council at its 28th session in March 2015, and at the UN General Assembly in New York on 1 October 2015. I also raised it during my meetings with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, in September 2014 and May 2015.
During Pakistan’s last Universal Periodic Review, Ireland also raised the issue of freedom of religion and belief, recommending that Pakistan “take all appropriate measures to combat and prevent discrimination against children belonging to religious or other minority groups, including by removing educational material which could serve to perpetuate discrimination.”
Ireland also works within and alongside the EU to address the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities, notably with the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief adopted during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013. These Guidelines provide EU officials with an overview of the legal and policy framework within which the right to freedom of religion or belief is protected.
The EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis visited Pakistan in October 2014 where he held an in depth dialogue with the Pakistan authorities on key human rights issues. He also discussed the importance of implementing domestic laws to address major human rights challenges, including freedom of religion and belief.
Ireland will continue to raise the issue of the persecution of Christians, through its official bilateral contacts with other countries, including Pakistan, stressing the responsibility of governments to protect all citizens and minorities, irrespective of their religion or belief.
