I propose to take Questions Nos. 625, 627, 630 and 632 together.
It is the understanding of the Department of Foreign Affairs that Mr. Binder was arrested in Greece in 2018 and has been charged with a number of different offences. His trial was due to start on 18 November in Lesbos but has since been delayed, following a decision to refer the case to a higher court.As Mr. Binder is a German citizen, consular assistance to Mr. Binder is being provided by the German Embassy in Athens and has been since his initial arrest and period of pre-trial detention in 2018. However, given Mr. Binder’s very strong ties to Ireland, representatives from the Embassy of Ireland in Athens have been in contact with both Mr. Binder and the German Embassy in regard to the most appropriate means of offering assistance. The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to follow developments in relation to his case and ongoing trial closely.Separate to this specific case, the protection of civil society space and the elimination of reprisals against human rights defenders and civil society activists are key foreign policy priorities for Ireland. In July, Ireland led a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council on the importance of protecting civil society space particularly in the context of COVID. In September, Ireland was one of five countries leading a resolution adopted by consensus denouncing reprisals against civil society activists cooperating with the UN. Moreover, Ireland works closely with the EU as well as with Front Line Defenders, who receive funding from the Irish Aid programme, to support human rights defenders, including for example, to improve physical and digital security or assist with legal fees or medical expenses.