I propose to take Questions Nos. 178, 181 and 184 together.
The 132 members of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) were elected in 2006 for a four year mandate. The PLC has not held a regular session since 2007 and its mandate has since expired. I regret that it has not been possible to hold long overdue elections. I note that there are currently twelve members of the PLC currently held in Israeli jails with nine of these in administrative detention.
The continued use of administrative detention by Israel against Palestinian activists is a matter of concern. The subjects of these orders are given no indication of the allegations or concerns for which they are being detained.
Ireland has consistently made clear our view that administrative detention, if it exists at all, should only be an exceptional emergency measure. If there are genuine security concerns about individuals, they should be charged and tried under the law. Detained Palestinians should have the same protections and conditions that Israel affords its own citizens when detained.
Ireland has conveyed these views to the Israeli authorities both directly and through our interventions at UN level. In the most recent Universal Periodic Review of Israel, earlier this year, Ireland raised the issue of administrative detention, and made recommendations on the rights of detainees.
We have also worked to have the issue addressed in EU Council Conclusions. EU Missions in Palestine, including Ireland’s, have issued statements on the practice making clear that detainees have the right to be informed about the charges underlying any detention and must be granted access to legal assistance and be given a fair trial within a reasonable time or be released.
We will continue to make known our concerns on the practice to the Israeli authorities at all appropriate opportunities.
