Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019
40. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which he can address human rights abuses in Bahrain further to the concerns articulated by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation faced by human rights defenders and the concerns for persons (details supplied). [9688/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cases mentioned by the Deputy are indicative of the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain. Bahraini citizens are unfortunately living in a society characterised by increasing infringements on fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of opinion, expression and association.
I am aware of recent reports alleging serious human rights abuses in Bahrain. Those persons referred to by the Deputy are among a number of people whom NGOs report to have been detained on account of their human rights activism, or due to the activism of their family members. A number of human rights organisations have claimed that these women are subjected to sustained abuses in prison, a cause for serious concern.
Ireland consistently advocates for the right of civil society actors and human rights defenders to operate in a safe environment, without fear of reprisal for speaking out. This is a cornerstone of a truly free society. Ireland, as a small country, amplifies its voice on these issues through multilateral engagement and through constructive bilateral dialogue.
Our concerns relating to human rights in Bahrain are conveyed through the Bahraini Embassy in London and through Ireland’s (non-resident) Ambassador to Bahrain.
Ireland has been raising Bahraini issues at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), repeatedly highlighting concerns about the human rights situation in Bahrain as part of our Item 4 Statements ("human rights situations that require the Council’s attention") over the last number of years. In September 2018, Ireland expressed concerns about restrictions on civil society space and the treatment of human rights defenders, and called on the Bahraini authorities to respect the freedoms of opinion and expression, as well as the right to a fair trial. At the last HRC Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain's human rights record in 2017, Ireland urged Bahrain to accept an open offer by the UN Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to visit Bahrain, and I reiterate this call.
Thematically, Ireland urges all states to safeguard the human rights of prisoners and detainees and is committed to the prevention and eradication of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. HRC Resolution 36/16, which Ireland co-sponsored, calls upon states to ‘investigate promptly, effectively and impartially all alleged human rights violations and abuses suffered by persons deprived of their liberty, in particular cases involving death, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, to provide effective remedies to the victims, and to ensure that detention administrations cooperate fully with the investigating authority and preserve all evidence’. Ireland has also co-sponsored thematic Resolutions in the HRC concerning human rights in the administration of justice; and concerning torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Ireland also sponsored UN General Assembly Resolution 71/188, also concerning human rights in the administration of justice.
My Department will continue to monitor developments in such cases in Bahrain, and I take this opportunity to call once again on the Bahraini Government to deliver on its stated commitment to make progress in relation to human rights. My Department will continue to raise issues of human rights in Bahrain directly with Bahraini officials, as well as at EU level and in multilateral fora such as the HRC, whenever appropriate opportunities arise.
