Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
51. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can provide an update on the situation facing women in Iran; if he can outline what steps Ireland is taking at an international level regarding this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41810/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody just over a year ago has focussed attention on the systemic discrimination against women and girls in public and private life in Iran.
Ireland has been clear in condemning Iran’s oppression of the subsequent widespread peaceful protests. Ireland expects Iran to uphold its international obligations, particularly the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These instruments enshrine the rights of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and the fundamental and unalienable rights of women.
We have repeatedly raised our concerns about human rights, particularly the rights of women, directly with the Iranian government, including with the Foreign Minister, who I spoke with most recently in May. Officials from my Department also raised these issues during political consultations in Tehran, also in May, and during regular bilateral diplomatic meetings in Tehran and Dublin.
In 2022, Ireland again co-sponsored a resolution on Iran at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which addresses a range of human rights issues.
Ireland also co-sponsored the convening of a special session of the Human Rights Council in November 2022, which created a fact-finding mission to investigate and report on the human rights situation in Iran, especially with respect to women and children.
We consistently call on the Iranian authorities to cooperate fully with the mandates of the fact-finding mission and the UN Special Rapporteur, including allowing them to visit Iran and conduct relevant meetings.
We continue to voice our concerns about human rights in Iran at the ongoing session of the Human Rights Council. Ireland also contributed to the drafting of a statement by EU HRVP Borrell, on behalf of the European Union, on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, highlighting in particular discrimination against women and girls.
EU sanctions have been applied to over 200 individuals and 37 entities in Iran, including for their role in human rights abuses.
