Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
117. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he will take following the adoption of a resolution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17273/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland engages actively with its partners in the Council of Europe on issues relating to the Russian Federation. We also work closely with our partners in the European Union, the United Nations and other fora. Moreover, we continue to raise our concerns regarding human rights in Russia directly with the Russian authorities.
From the outset, the EU called on the Russian authorities to conduct a comprehensive and independent investigation, and criticised their failure to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mr. Magnitsky’s death.
Ireland fully supports and strictly adheres to the five principles adopted in 2016 by the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council to guide the EU’s relations with Russia. EU economic sanctions have been in place against Russia since 2014 in response to its illegal annexation of Crimea and its further actions to destabilise Ukraine. The Foreign Affairs Council carries out regular reviews of its Russia policy and implements additional measures when appropriate. Ireland continues to implement EU sanctions on a domestic level through the introduction of statutory instruments in accordance with EU policy.
A number of countries, including a small number of EU Member States, have put in place national “Magnitsky Acts” freezing the assets of, and withholding visas from, certain Russian officials believed to have acted in violation of human rights. The question of the nature and scope of EU sanctions is always complex and difficult. The adoption of sanctions requires a unanimous decision of the Council.
