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Foreign Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2021

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Ceisteanna (86)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

86. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions the Government is taking to raise the plight of religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan, in light of a recent USCIRF report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57887/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I remain deeply concerned at the situation in Afghanistan, including the Taliban’s approach to religious and ethnic minorities. The recent report on Afghanistan from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom is troubling, outlining the constraints on religious freedom in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, including the reinstatement of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Reports of widespread persecution of religious minorities are alarming, as is the finding that those belonging to religious minorities are now living under fear of reprisals for practicing their religion.

The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (more commonly referred to as freedom of religion and belief) is a fundamental freedom, provided for under Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. It is a priority for Ireland’s human rights engagement at both multilateral and bilateral levels and we consistently co-sponsors resolutions on freedom of religion or belief at the UN.

Ireland fully subscribes to the EU benchmarks, set out in Council Conclusions on 15 September, which outline our expectations of the Taliban. Future EU support will depend on respect for the international legal framework and norms on human rights. The Conclusions call on the Taliban to promote, protect and respect all human rights, including those of persons belonging to minorities.

This document forms the basis of EU contact with the Taliban, including the scheduled meetings in Doha this coming weekend, led by EU Special Envoy Tomas Niklasson. The conditions do not preclude a certain level of working contact required for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and evacuation of EU nationals. The Conclusions are clear that such contact does not confer any legitimacy on the Taliban.

Ireland has also expressed concern about the human rights situation in Afghanistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council. On 7 October, at the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council, an EU-led Resolution was adopted on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan. The resolution established a mandate for a Special Rapporteur (SR) to to monitor the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. The SR is mandated to seek, receive, examine and act on information from all relevant stakeholders pertaining to the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.

At the UN Security Council, Ireland has also highlighted the plight of minorities at the since the Taliban takeover, most recently on 17 November. Ireland strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks, violence, intimidation and forced displacement targeting minorities.

Approximately 500 Afghan citizens have been offered refugee status in Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). A number of the IRRP beneficiaries are from minority religious and ethnic backgrounds, including Shia and Hazara.

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