Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
172. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on efforts at EU and international level to prevent the persecution of Christians around the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1685/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right, which is replicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private and to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are.
Ireland is committed to promoting and protecting human rights, including freedom of thought, conscience and religion through our work at the EU, the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly. Ireland also uses the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a mechanism of the Human Rights Council, to remind countries under review of their obligation to advance fundamental freedoms, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, under international human rights law.
At EU level, Ireland played a key role in the adoption by the European Union of guidelines on freedom of religion or belief during our Presidency in 2013. These guidelines provide a framework for the promotion of this right in the EU's external human rights policy.
Addressing the high level segment of the 37th session of the Human Rights Council in February 2018, my colleague, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciaran Cannon highlighted threats to freedom of religion and belief and minority religious communities worldwide, including those of Christian, Muslim and Baha’i faiths.
At the same session of the Council, Ireland participated in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, welcoming the work he has undertaken to date and assuring him of Ireland’s continuing support for his mandate.
Most recently at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in November 2018, Ireland supported the EU led resolution on freedom of religion or belief and we also participated in an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, during which we condemned restrictions placed on fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom or religion or belief, by using national legislation to enforce such measures in the name of national security.
