Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023

Tuesday, 12 December 2023

Ceisteanna (95)

Chris Andrews

Ceist:

95. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he, along with embassy officials in Rabat, could raise the issue of human rights abuses with their Moroccan counterparts, including the issue of political prisoners, in particular if he could highlight the issue of the Gdeim Izik prisoners from Western Sahara, given that as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2010, he expressed his deep concerns at the actions of Morocco which led to the imprisonment of the Gdeim Izik protesters (details supplied). [54676/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Senior officials from my Department regularly meet with their Moroccan counterparts, both in Dublin and Rabat, to discuss a wide range of issues, with human rights a core element of those discussions.

The opening of an Irish Embassy in Rabat has allowed us to deepen our bilateral engagement and dialogue with Morocco. Respect for human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and we consistently seek to discuss human rights issues through the most appropriate and effective channels, including at a bilateral and EU level, and through the United Nations Universal Periodic Review mechanism.

During Morocco’s Universal Periodic Review in 2022, Ireland noted our concern that human rights defenders and journalists continue to be targeted for their work and face intimidation, harassment, death threats, criminalisation and physical and sexual assault, including in and in relation to Western Sahara. Ireland recommended that Morocco take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the human rights of all people in Western Sahara.