Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2016
8. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he is taking to secure the release of a person (details supplied) from detention in Egypt; the reason for the delay in the person's release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11902/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra13. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his efforts to secure the release of a person (details supplied) detained in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11915/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra24. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made by the Government to secure the release of an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11903/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 13 and 24 together.
This case remains a high priority for the Government and my Department. We are continuing to pursue every constructive avenue to secure the release of this citizen and we will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels.
All of the sustained and focused actions that have been taken by the Taoiseach, myself and other Ministers, as well as by my Department and our embassy in Cairo, are in pursuit of the Government’s clear strategy in this case, which is focused on two key objectives: first, to see this citizen freed by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland as soon as possible; and second, to provide every possible consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention.
The Egyptian Government is fully aware of the priority the Irish Government attaches to the welfare and interests of our citizen. There has been sustained engagement at all levels with the authorities in Egypt. I have been in regular contact with my Egyptian counterpart, Minister Shoukry, and the Taoiseach has twice met President el-Sisi, making clear the Irish Government’s concerns and objectives in this case.
In addition to this dialogue with the Egyptian authorities, the Government has also been engaging on an ongoing basis with European and international partners who have had citizens detained in Egypt in similar circumstances, and with the European Union.
Irish Government representatives have worked with this citizen’s legal team in Egypt and supported petitions to the court when asked to do so, including providing formal Government support for an application under Decree 140 and an application for his release on bail. Representatives of the embassy have attended each of the court hearings to date and will be present at the next scheduled hearing on 29 June. Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin also remain in regular contact with his family and Irish-based lawyers.
Significant resources continue to be deployed by my Department, both in Cairo and in Dublin, in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to the detained citizen and his family. The Department has arranged frequent consular visits to this individual in prison since his arrest, the most recent of which was on 17 April. Another visit will be arranged in the coming weeks. These visits also allow regular contact with the prison authorities who are aware of the Irish Government’s strong and sustained interest in the welfare of this citizen.
Given that the trial is ongoing, the Government must at all times remain measured and responsible in its public comment. This is entirely consistent with our approach in other consular cases, with our clear objectives in this case, and with what we firmly believe will offer the best prospect for a positive outcome for this young man.
As the Minister knows, Mr. Halawa has been in prison for the last 1,000 days, which is over three years, without trial. His continuing mistreatment is completely unacceptable and is causing his family untold stress. While there are probably moves going on in the background by the Government to try to get Mr. Halawa released, at this stage the Taoiseach needs to intervene and talk to his counterparts in Egypt. It is not acceptable that after 1,000 days Mr. Halawa is still locked up without trial. Basically, he has been interned. We should do all we can to get this innocent man freed. It is like the Irish people who were locked up in Britain - they committed no crime. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hopefully, Mr. Halawa can be out very soon.
The Minister has given a detailed answer to this question. I met Mr. Halawa's sister, Somaia, yesterday. I know that the Minister is aware of the family's deep concerns for Ibrahim Halawa. The forthcoming court case on 29 June is effectively a sentencing hearing, not a trial. The one faint hope is that, more than likely, there will not be any further postponements. Does the Minister have any update on that through the embassy? Is he hoping that this will be the final date? We have had 13 postponements up to now, which has prolonged Mr. Halawa's incarceration without trial. Perhaps the Minister can comment on that aspect of it.
I wish to assure both Deputies that we will continue to use all our influence in this matter in order to secure the objective, which is the release of the individual in question. I am pleased to note that is the considered view of everybody in this House. It is important that we all work together on this issue.
I acknowledge that there have been many different views and suggestions for action on this case. We will keep all possibilities for action under constant legal review. In this regard, Deputy Darragh O'Brien mentioned 29 June as the date of the next hearing. I wish to assure the House that embassy officials will be in attendance, as they have been at each and every hearing.
At the last hearing in March there was a clear indication by the court clerk that the next hearing, on 29 June, would be the final one and that the court would give its verdict on that date. Given the specific nature of the Egyptian system, I would caution against any undue expectations in this regard. However, I wish to assure the House that once these proceedings have been concluded, the Government stands ready to take all appropriate action, at the political and diplomatic levels, in order to secure a resolution to this case.
I thank the Minister. What is worrying is Egypt's diabolical justice system. Currently, 492 individuals are awaiting a mass trial and Ibrahim is one of them. Even the EU has rightly criticised Egypt's record on selective justice, because it is slightly archaic. I understand the Government is trying to do its best to free him but I reiterate that if there is no conclusion by the end of June in his case, the Taoiseach should intervene directly.
I fully understand that we cannot carry out all our diplomacy in public and I am aware of some of the work going on in the background, with a great deal of support being provided. Every Member and political party wants to ensure Ibrahim is released without further delay. It is our earnest hope that there will be no further delays after 29 June. If there are further delays, I ask the Minister to consider other options to increase the level of diplomatic contact. Embassy staff have attended all hearings to date and I know from the family that they are grateful for the assistance they have been given by the Minister, the Department and officials in our embassy and consular service. I ask the Minister to return to this matter after 29 June should the hearing on that date prove not to be the final one. We all hope that he will be released at that stage.
I acknowledge the positive comments of both Deputies and I assure them I will keep them and the House fully informed of developments, if any, in this case. I assure Deputy Gino Kenny that the case has been discussed by the Taoiseach and myself with our Egyptian counterparts. I have taken careful note of the points raised. It remains clear from all our contacts with the Egyptian authorities that their position is that the current trial process must be permitted to take its course before consideration can be given to the application of Law 140, presidential decree, which has been mentioned in the House on a number of occasions. Any decision on the release of this citizen will ultimately be taken by the Egyptian authorities in accordance with Egyptian law. However, I assure the House of my continuing engagement and the continuing engagement of the Taoiseach. We will continue to use all our diplomatic channels and efforts to reach our ultimate objective, which is the safe return of this citizen at the earliest opportunity.
