Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2022
122. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise reports of the Iranian authorities shooting protestors and targeting women at the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that he proposes to take given Ireland’s position on the UN Security Council regarding reports of Iran executing protestors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.
Ireland opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and I am horrified that Iran has started to execute people for their alleged involvement in the protests.
I am very concerned by reports that the Iranian government has sentenced a number of other people, including children, to death for their involvement in the ongoing protests.
Ireland has consistently raised our concerns around the high number of executions in Iran, including though the Universal Periodic Review process at the Human Rights Council. I urge Iran to declare a moratorium on executions, and to consider alternative sentencing.
The vast majority of those who have been arrested by the Iranian authorities in recent weeks, by some estimates more than 15,000 people, were simply exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.
I commend the courage of the Iranian women and men who continue to exercise their fundamental rights. The Iranian security and police forces have continued to respond with lethal force, and the level of violence, including sexual violence, perpetrated against protestors has risen in recent weeks.
Ireland raises human rights issues with Iran at every suitable opportunity, including in our direct contacts with Iranian officials, in contributing to EU policy on Iran, and in international fora such as the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.
I have spoken directly with my Iranian counterpart about these issues, most recently in September at the United Nations in New York, and again on 6 October and 13 December via phone call. I reiterated Ireland’s position when I summoned the Iranian Ambassador to Iveagh House on 20 October.
In 2022 as in the past, Ireland co-sponsored the annual resolution at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which was adopted on 16 November. The resolution addresses a broad range of issues related to severe human rights violations in Iran. Ireland has also supported the call to hold a special session of the Human Rights Council on 24 November to discuss the concerning human rights situation in Iran.
Ireland has fully supported the united EU response to Iran's disproportionate and violent suppression of protests and its transfer of weapons to Russia, including the sanctions applied on 17 October and 14 November as well as the additional sanctions which were agreed on 12 December.
