Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 December 2018
150. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he will be taking with regard to the Saudi Arabia Government in the wake of the murder of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51089/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain deeply concerned about the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and there are still very serious questions to answer. High Representative Federica Mogherini has issued a statement on behalf of the European Union insisting on the need for a ‘continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation, shedding proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensuring full accountability of all those responsible for it’, and Ireland fully supports this call.
The investigation by the Saudi authorities is proceeding and the public prosecutor has charged eleven people. It remains to be seen how the prosecution will be conducted and what evidence will be provided. In that regard I take this opportunity to repeat Ireland’s longstanding policy of strong and unequivocal opposition to the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances.
Any further steps at this stage will be taken in tandem with our EU partners, and only after careful consideration of findings based on verifiable evidence.
As previously mentioned in the Dáil, I met with the Saudi Ambassador, H.E. Mr Nail bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, on 18 October and stressed the widespread shock caused by the case and the necessity for credible and open investigation. It is imperative that the full facts of the case are established and that those responsible for the killing are held accountable. Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have reiterated Ireland’s strong concerns to the Ambassador in recent weeks.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental right under international human rights law and journalists play a vital role in holding governments to account. Ireland has consistently raised issues of human rights in Saudi Arabia, at bilateral, EU and international level. At the UN Human Rights Council in September, Ireland co-sponsored a resolution on ‘Safety of Journalists’, condemning all violence against journalists and urging all states to ensure accountability for such attacks.
Ireland specifically raised the Khashoggi case at the UN Human Rights Council on 5 November in our intervention during the Universal Periodic Review of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Ireland will continue to raise concerns about human rights issues directly with the Saudi authorities, and at EU and international levels, whenever appropriate opportunities arise.
