Rónán Mullen (Independent)

In respect of the proposed debate on the Arab Spring, Members should not simply note it in passing. They should have a debate on developments in the Arab world and the consequences thereof. While they welcome movement towards democracy in Arab countries, they must also begin to ask questions about what might happen to minorities which are vulnerable to persecution. There is a particular crisis regarding the persecution of Christians in different parts of the world which has the potential to become a more severe crisis as a downside of the good news of democratisation in Arab countries. The western world has been too hesitant in talking about this problem, and in their debate on emerging democracies in the Arab world, Members should also discuss what can be done to protect minorities. I refer specifically but not exclusively to Christian minorities in these countries.