Malcolm Byrne
Question:218. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she is concerned by the reported harassment of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3232/26]
View answerThursday, 15 January 2026
Questions (218)
Written answers
The protection of human rights defenders is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland in our bilateral, EU, and UN multilateral engagement. Ireland regularly intervenes at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to advocate on behalf of human rights defenders, and we have a strong track record of putting forward recommendations on the rights of human rights defenders at the UN’s Universal Periodic Review, a peer review of states’, human rights situations.
On the details supplied, I am aware of the recent public comments by this Irish citizen and international human rights lawyer. Officials from the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations based in Geneva and New York have met with this human rights defender in the course of her work. I am deeply concerned by the descriptions of the harassment that this citizen has experienced, including the threats that have been made against her and her family. The threats that have been described are abhorrent and unacceptable.
Any unlawful coercion, threat or harassment that occurs within the State should be reported to An Garda Síochána. In terms of any incidents that may have occurred abroad, Irish citizens can contact An Garda Síochána if in Ireland. If an Irish citizen is abroad, they should, where possible, report such incidents to the relevant local authorities.