Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí uilig as an díospóireacht chuimsitheach inniu maidir le hiriseoirí in áiteanna ina bhfuil coimhlint iontu timpeall an domhain. I add my condolences to the families of Shireen Abu Akleh and Pierre Zakrzewski and his colleague Oleksandra Kuvshynova. They are three of the most well-known journalists who have been killed in conflict recently. I send sympathies to their families and to the families of the other journalists killed in the Ukraine conflict this year.

This is a timely debate, not only because it follows the murders of journalists but this evening Ireland has called an informal Security Council meeting focusing specifically on the protection of journalists. In addition to our work at the UN and EU, earlier this year Ireland joined the Media Freedom Coalition. This is a cross-regional collaboration of 52 countries that co-ordinate to promote the safety of media workers and to hold to account those who seek to harm them. This complements Ireland's work as a founding member of the Freedom Online Coalition, which, since 2011, has protected the right to freedom of opinion and expression online.

Many areas of conflict and many journalists have been mentioned. I do not think we should categorise them with "but something else" as some speakers have during the debate. I will mention many of the circumstances and journalists who have been mentioned. In Afghanistan, press freedom has been severely curtailed since the Taliban's seized power last August. Human Rights Watch has found that 70% of media outlets have closed. Reporters without Borders has recorded 80 cases of detained media workers and at least two journalists have been killed. In Afghanistan, of course, women are very disproportionately affected. Ireland has consistently used its voice at the Security Council on human rights in Afghanistan, including the rights of journalists. We will do so again in today in New York with other Security Council members. Deputies are aware that journalists and their families are among the almost 500 Afghan refugees now safely in Ireland under the refugee protection programme.

There are also a number of Ukrainian journalists here as part of that programme.

In Myanmar, there have also been attacks on civilians, including reporters. The military has closed independent outlets, interfered with access to the Internet, blocked social media platforms and proposed a cybersecurity law that would empower the state with greater surveillance capabilities. Through multilateral organisations, of which we are a member, Ireland has called on the military to release those arbitrarily detained and cease violence. We also want full accountability.

In Hong Kong, which I believe was not mentioned in this debate, since the closure of Apple Dailylast year, there has been a raid on the offices of Stand Newsand the arrest of its staff and the self-closure of Citizen News. The national security laws have been followed by the targeting and suppression of independent media, thereby eroding protected rights and freedoms under the Basic Law. We have spoken out in support of media freedom and free speech in Hong Kong.

Mexico is apparently the most dangerous country in which to be a journalist in 2021, according to NGOs. We are working closely with the European Union and others to protect journalist, condemn killings and call people to account. The Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, headed a United Nations NGO round-table meeting which discussed security issues for journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico.

Deputies mentioned countries in Africa, including Eritrea and Somalia. We are also working to ensure a vibrant media space can exist. The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. Simon was a journalist from Meath who was killed approximately 20 years ago in a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia. We have an Irish Aid programme that enables journalists to report on stories of contemporary life in developing countries that would otherwise not be told. More than 400 assignments have been funded by the Department under this fund.

I note, in particular, the strong statements, rightly so, on the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. Her killing, which ended her professional witness to the situation in occupied Palestinian territory, led to justifiable outrage and anger in Palestine, in the Dáil and globally. It is vital that journalists are protected to report on the effects of conflict on the lives of ordinary Palestinian citizens. Israel must immediately comply with calls from the international community to hold a thorough and transparent investigation into the killing of Ms Abu Akleh. It is vital that this case is addressed in the appropriate multilateral fora.

Ireland was actively involved in agreeing a statement at the UN Security Council condemning the killing of Ms Abu Akleh. This was the first statement by the Security Council on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since May 2021. It was a very significant statement which Ireland was actively involved in and we will continue to highlight this case. Ms Abu Akleh's family deserves justice and to see those responsible held to account. Additionally, at this time of heightened tensions, the authorities must do everything possible to ensure there is no further escalation of violence, particularly at potential flashpoints in the coming weeks.

Ireland has condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, as well as Belarus's part in it. We stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine and media workers, a number of whom have been killed, including Pierre Zakrzewski, who was Irish. They work tirelessly to provide accurate and truthful accounts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ireland will make its voice heard to ensure that those responsible will be held to account and brought to justice.

As the Minister and Opposition Deputies mentioned, Ireland's role in the UN Security Council provides enhanced influence, as does our Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. My first engagement with the UN Security Council, which was via a virtual meeting in January 2021, was on media freedom in Belarus, another very important issue. Our role on the Security Council, in the European Union and through the Presidency of the Council of Europe amplify our voice. If Ireland is elected to the Human Rights Council, I am sure we will be well placed to continue to protect all human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and press freedom.

It is clear from this debate that the Oireachtas stands four-square behind and in unwavering solidarity with all those who seek to protect journalists and promote media freedom. At the General Affairs Council, the issue of the protection of journalists within the European Union is of concern. Deputy Connolly mentioned the case of a journalist in Malta. There have also been reports on the murder of a journalist during an attack in Slovakia. The Slovakian Government is very concerned about that. There have been other cases, including in Ireland. We must ensure that journalists are protected. By giving us accurate information, they protect us.

We very much appreciate Deputies' contributions today and assure them of the Government's continued determination to use all avenues available to protect journalists and press freedom, both in conflicts and elsewhere.

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