Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2017
161. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made at national and international level to address the concerns raised by Palestinian prisoners that are currently on hunger strike as of 17 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to ensure that Palestinians that are incarcerated in prisons in Israel are afforded their human rights and are treated in a fair and humane manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22421/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
Issues relating to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons have consistently featured over recent years in our dialogue with Israeli authorities, both here in Ireland and in Israel, as well as in our discussions at EU and UN level. These issues include both the numbers of Palestinian prisoners, some being held under administrative detention without trial, and the conditions in which prisoners are held.
Ireland raised particular concerns about the detention of minors in our intervention at the Universal Periodic Review of Israel at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013.
It is only fair to acknowledge that similar concerns about conditions in prisons could be expressed about many other countries in the region and elsewhere.
In relation to the current situation, I am of course deeply concerned by the hunger strike involving a large number of prisoners, now in its fourth week. We cannot support the use of hunger strikes as a means of exerting pressure. There is a real risk of attitudes hardening on either side, leading to tragedy. We do not want to say anything that could add to that risk. I am aware that previous hunger strikes have been resolved, allowing a tragic outcome to be avoided.
I do not wish to comment therefore on the specific issues which the strikers have apparently raised. However, I would reiterate our essential position – which should be an obvious one, and which applies to all prisoners – which is that detained Palestinians should have the same protections and conditions that Israel affords its own citizens.
My Department raised our concerns about the hunger strike with the Israeli Ambassador on 9 May. They have also been raised in a bilateral meeting with the Israeli mission at the EU on 10 May.
The EU missions in Palestine issued a statement on Saturday concerning the hunger strikes and issues related to conditions of detention, and calling on Israel to respect fully the rights of prisoners.
I addressed these matters at slightly more length in response to a Topical Issues debate in the house yesterday, and I would direct the Deputy also to my statement on that occasion.
