Paul Murphy
Ceist:119. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the cases of political prisoners (details supplied) in Bahrain who were sentenced to death. [31932/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 21 October 2020
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
The human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern. Although progress has been made in certain areas, there continue to be instances of human rights violations. I am aware of the cases raised by the Deputy, and the decision of the Court of Cassation in Bahrain to confirm the death penalty ruling in their cases.
A moratorium on the death penalty had been in place in Bahrain since 2010 and the decision to resume the use of capital punishment in 2017 was deeply concerning. The abolition of capital punishment is one of Ireland's international priorities and we condemn the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. Ireland joins with the EU in calling on Bahrain to halt the execution of theses two individuals.
Our principled stance on human rights is very much part our bilateral dialogue with Bahrain. Senior officials from my Department have formally raised our concerns about this case directly with the Bahraini Ambassador to Ireland, reiterating our long-standing opposition to the death penalty. I also understand that the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore, has made contact with the Bahraini authorities in relation to these two cases.
When I met the Bahraini Foreign Minister at the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2019, I also raised the human rights situation in Bahrain with him, expressing the hope that we can have an open and honest discussion on these issues.
We will continue to monitor these cases, and to make our concerns clear to the Bahraini authorities, including at the next informal EU-Bahrain Human Rights Dialogue to be hosted by Bahrain early next month.