Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2026
29. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland and its European Union partners will use all possible diplomatic avenues and approaches to address the Republic of Türkiye's persecution of LGBTQ+ persons. [69286/26]
View answer46. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions she intends to take to raise the recent crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists in the Republic of Türkiye. [69282/26]
View answer75. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has been in contact with Irish citizens in Turkey, following the recent crackdowns. [68429/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 46 and 75 together.
I am deeply concerned about recent measures, including legal proceedings and arrests, against LGBTIQ+ organisations and persons in Türkiye. As an EU candidate country, member of the Council of Europe, and a party to international human rights instruments, Türkiye is expected to uphold the highest democratic standards and to ensure the respect of fundamental rights for all, including for LGBTIQ+ persons.
Every person, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic, is entitled to equality, dignity and the full enjoyment of their human rights. The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland, and this is reflected in our campaign for membership of the UN Human Rights Council, where defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is one of our five thematic priorities.
Ireland continues to support initiatives in the EU and other international fora which promote and protect the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, and which condemn violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Ireland stands in full solidarity with LGBTIQ+ persons and their allies in Türkiye. As part of ongoing bilateral engagement, Ireland raises human rights issues, including regarding LGBTIQ+ persons, with the Turkish authorities.
Ireland fully supports the statement of 18 September by the European External Action Service expressing concern about the arrests and legal proceedings in Türkiye. In our national capacity on 22 September, along with some EU member states and like-minded countries, a joint message expressing deep concern was delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Türkiye. On 23 September, at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Ireland aligned with a statement of the LGBTI Group of Friends, of which we are a member, regarding these worrying developments. This statement called on Turkish authorities to fully respect the rule of law and the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
Ireland remains in full solidarity with LGBTIQ+ persons and their allies globally, but particularly in Türkiye right now. Ireland will continue to closely monitor developments and keep different potential and proportionate responses under review, including through bilateral channels or opportunities for coordination with EU Member States, or through other multilateral fora.
