International Relations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2022

Wednesday, 1 June 2022

Ceisteanna (98, 116)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

98. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of two Bahrainis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28611/22]

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

116. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of two Bahraini nationals (details supplied) who are currently on death row in Saudi Arabia, following a trial that has been highlighted as grossly unfair by several human rights organisations; the engagement that he has had with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia to call for the commutation of these death sentences and a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into the defendants’ claims of torture and ill-treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28365/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 116 together.

Ireland is firmly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and has consistently made our opposition clear to the Saudi authorities. I note with concern the cases referred to by the deputies.

When I visited Saudi Arabia last year, I raised a number of human rights concerns, including the continuing use of the death penalty. Officials from my Department have also raised concerns over the use of the death penalty directly with the Saudi authorities.  

Ireland urges all States to safeguard the human rights of prisoners and detainees, as set out in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules. 

Ireland welcomed the first EU-Saudi Arabia Human Rights Dialogue, held in Brussels in September 2021 and chaired by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore. A number of human rights issues were discussed at the Dialogue, including conditions of detention and the use of the death penalty.

The abolition of the death penalty will continue to be a foreign policy priority for Ireland. I urge Saudi Arabia to establish an immediate moratorium on executions, with a view to abolishing the death penalty.