Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2017
157. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made by the Government to protect and assist the LGBT community in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether steps must be taken at international level to protect the LGBT community in Chechnya and to assist those who are being forced to flee the country due to sexual orientation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the matter of the treatment of LGBT persons in Chechnya at a European level with a view to exerting diplomatic and other pressure on the Chechen Government to immediately cease its persecution of LGBT persons there. [22413/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to provide a safe path for LGBT persons in Chechnya to flee their country. [22414/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 160, inclusive, together.
I am aware of alarming reports by international human rights organisations and in the media of a campaign of abduction, abuse and ill-treatment of men in the Chechen Republic on the basis of their sexual orientation. If confirmed, these actions would amount to serious violations of fundamental human rights.
Last week, senior Departmental officials met the Russian Ambassador at my request to convey my grave concerns, and those of the Irish public, at these reports. During the meeting, my officials urged the Russian authorities to fully investigate these allegations, to ensure that any such persecution is ended immediately, to provide all affected persons with the assistance they require, and to ensure the safety of activists and journalists investigating the reports of abuse in Chechnya.
In a statement delivered to the Seanad on my behalf by Minister Helen McEntee on 12 April, I joined in the widespread calls for the Russian Government to urgently undertake a full and thorough investigation into these reports and to ensure that any individuals found to have committed crimes be brought to justice. I also emphasised Russia’s international obligations to protect all persons who may be at risk of persecution. This call was reiterated by the Irish Ambassador to the Council of Europe at a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg on 19 April.
The European Union is also pressing the Russian authorities to ensure that the allegations are fully investigated and that those fleeing persecution are given full protection. The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini raised the matter during a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on 24 April. HR Mogherini highlighted the serious concerns of the European Union and its Member States over the allegations and urged the Russian government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the rights of the gay community in Chechnya are respected, in line with Russia’s international human rights commitments.
