Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
53. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will call on the Iranian government to intervene to save the life of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3419/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the urgent diplomatic actions the Government is taking to prevent the execution of a person (details supplied), a Kurdish humanitarian worker and civil society activist sentenced to death in Iran; and whether he will publicly condemn this sentence while engaging with his Department to apply diplomatic pressure on the Iranian government to halt this execution and end the persecution of activists. [3520/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together.
I am deeply concerned by the continued use of arbitrary detention and the use of the death penalty as a means of suppressing political dissent and human rights activism in Iran. This is a principal focus of Ireland's engagement with Iran on human rights issues. Ireland is strongly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances. The final and irreversible nature of the death penalty underlines the impropriety of its use as a criminal punishment. Accordingly, Ireland continues to seek its universal abolition.
Most recently, In January Ireland raised the death penalty at the Universal Periodic Review of Iran at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. We highlighted Iran's use of the death penalty and harassment and imprisonment of human rights defenders, especially women. We called for the end of all executions in Iran. Ireland also raises the issue of the continued use of the death penalty and other human rights abuses in Iran, both directly in bilateral discussions and in international fora such as the Human Rights Council and the United Nations Third Committee on Human Rights.
I will ask my officials to look into the circumstances of the case raised by the Deputy. I regret however that there is at present little sign of Iran responding positively on these issues. Ireland will continue to call on Iran to cease the use of the death penalty.
