Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
42. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the outcome of the Iranian parliamentary election; if he anticipates the outcome will lead to any improvement in the human rights situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11146/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland and the EU's position with regard to the current situation in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10914/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 52 together.
The large scale public demonstrations in late 2022 and 2023, which were suppressed violently, with widespread use of lethal force against protestors, and executions of many of those detained, are a clear sign of a population which believes its voice is not being heard by its Government.
The Iranian electoral system requires that only candidates approved by the authorities are allowed onto the ballot paper. Large numbers of potential candidates identified by those authorities as moderate or having reformist tendencies, even those formerly elected to public office, are systematically excluded. This included the former President Hassan Rouhani.
One of the main coalitions of reformists, the Reform Front, chose not to put candidates forward for the election, saying the elections were meaningless, non-competitive and ineffective. Notably the turnout in the election was the lowest in the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Irish Government has consistently made clear its concerns about the human rights situation in Iran, about Iran’s support of various armed groups in the region, the supply by Iran of weapons and weapons technology to Russia, and about Iran’s nuclear programme.
As a consequence of these many concerns, the EU has imposed a wide range of sanctions on individuals and entities in Iran, under human rights, nuclear and invasion of Ukraine sanctions regimes (and equivalent measures). Ireland has consistently supported the adoption of these sanctions.
Regrettably, the Government of Iran has not cooperated with either of the Special Procedures established by the UN Human Rights Council, with Irish support, namely the Special Rapporteur and the International Fact Finding Mission, and has not permitted them to visit the country.
Ireland will continue to raise all these issues in our engagement with Iran.
