Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, has said that Ireland is closely monitoring developments in Balochistan and continues to raise human rights concerns with Pakistani authorities through diplomatic channels.
The remarks were made in an official response to Irish parliamentarian Ruth Coppinger, who raised concerns about the situation in Balochistan and reports of civilian casualties following recent incidents in the region.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), the intervention followed the organisation’s international outreach efforts after the Pakistani airstrikes in Balochistan’s Surab. The BNM said the issue had been brought before the Irish Parliament by Coppinger, whom the organisation thanked for highlighting developments in Balochistan.
In her response, McEntee said she was aware of reports concerning ongoing unrest in Balochistan, which she described as a region that has witnessed violent insurgencies as well as political and ethnic conflict in recent years.
She stated that the promotion and protection of universal human rights remains a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy, including the protection of freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and participation in the political process. She added that Ireland consistently advocates for the protection of civilians in areas affected by conflict and political instability.
The Irish foreign minister noted that Ireland regularly engages with Pakistan on political and human rights issues through both bilateral and multilateral channels, including the Universal Periodic Review process at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
McEntee also highlighted the role of human rights in relations between the European Union and Pakistan. She said human rights issues were discussed during the 15th EU-Pakistan Joint Commission meeting in Brussels in December 2025 and during the eighth round of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in June 2026.
According to the statement, Pakistan’s implementation of international human rights conventions remains a key focus of the European Union’s engagement with Islamabad under the GSP+ trade programme. McEntee said these issues were also raised during the EU’s GSP+ Monitoring Mission to Pakistan in November 2025.
She further stated that Ireland’s Embassy in Islamabad continues to closely monitor developments in Balochistan and regularly engages with the EU Delegation and other international partners regarding representations to be made to Pakistani authorities. She added that Irish officials have also met directly with Pakistani authorities to raise human rights concerns.
Commenting on the response, the BNM Foreign Department said the statement reflected growing international attention to developments in Balochistan and argued that continued diplomatic engagement was bringing the issue before governments, parliaments and international institutions.
The BNM said that while access to Balochistan may be restricted, international scrutiny of developments in the region was increasing.
The statement comes amid continued debate over the security situation and human rights concerns in Balochistan, including allegations regarding civilian casualties during recent military operations and airstrikes. Pakistani authorities have not publicly commented on these statements.