Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

The Leader will agree that this House has a good track record in upholding human rights and highlighting human rights abuses across the world. In that regard, I am honoured to welcome to the Visitors Gallery Dr. Nada Dhaif, one of the Bahraini doctors sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the regime in that country, simply for providing medical treatment for persons protesting for human rights and democracy. I also welcome Professor Damian McCormack, Ms Sheila Dickson and Ms Tara O'Grady from the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organisation. Since February 2011 the Bahraini Government has been cracking down on pro-democracy and human rights campaigners, including the many doctors who have, as is their right and duty, treated people who were tortured and beaten on the streets of that country. This coming Thursday 15 of those doctors will undergo a retrial in a civilian court, many of them having already received sentences of between five and 15 years on the most spurious of charges. It behoves this House - Members of all parties and none - to show its total support for the persons being tried on Thursday. Will the Leader raise this matter with the Taoiseach and ask the Deputy Leader, Senator Ivana Bacik, to raise it with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade? They should, in advance of Thursday, convey our absolute abhorrence at the manner in which medical professionals, many of whom received their training in this country, have been treated by the Bahraini Government. I ask that our entreaties be conveyed directly to the King of Bahrain and senior Bahraini Ministers. It is my understanding a new Bahraini ambassador was appointed last week who will work out of Britain but deal also with the Republic. There is no time to delay on this matter in which we have an important role to play. It has been discussed by the Seanad on previous occasions and groups within the medical community, with the exception of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, have come out very strongly against the measures taken by the Bahraini Government. The silence of some in the medical profession and politics on this matter can only be condemned. Will the Leader and the Deputy Leader give a commitment to me, Dr. Dhaif and her colleagues who are in prison and awaiting retrial this Thursday that they will urge their respective party leaders - the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste - to do their utmost to raise this issue directly with the King of Bahrain and his senior Ministers to ensure justice is done for the medics in Bahrain who are being persecuted for doing their duty?