Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure both Senators would prefer if the Minister was here, but I am addressing this matter on his behalf. I will try to do it justice.

As we all know, the decade following the Iranian revolution in 1979 was a turbulent and violent period, characterised by both external threats and the severe and intolerant stance of the new Iranian leadership. Throughout this period, many members of the former regime or opponents of the new one were summarily executed. A number of external perceived threats may help explain, but do not excuse, some of these events. These included above all the invasion of Iran by Iraq in 1980 and the long and bloody war that lasted until 1988.

These executions of opponents culminated in the killing of large numbers of prisoners in a period of months beginning in July 1988. Estimates of the numbers killed start at a figure of 4,500 disappeared prisoners, named by Amnesty International, to as high as 30,000, claimed by the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, PMOI. Whatever the true figure, which is unfortunately likely to be in the upper part of this range, both the numbers and the summary nature of the proceedings justify the term "massacre".

The majority of those killed were members of, or associated with, the PMOI, although other opposition groups were also included. During the 1980s, the PMOI conducted a campaign of bombings and assassinations against the Iranian Government, which killed many senior regime figures. It supported the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein in its war against Iran and, in July 1988, it launched a military invasion of Iran from its base in Iraq. It is likely that this invasion was the trigger for the massacre, although there were also some signs that it may have been planned already.

The victims were persons already being held, in most cases convicted or accused of being supporters of the PMOI or other movements, rather than any violent acts. They were executed on the basis of vaguely-defined continuing sympathy with the opposition and there is a clear sense of the regime taking the opportunity of a general threat to rid itself of all of its opponents within reach. There are many parallels with similar reprehensible events in European history. This episode was known at the time, although many details only emerged later and much is yet unknown. It was brutal and unjustified and the Government, of course, wholly condemns it.

The additional information circulating recently on these events, which many Members of the Oireachtas will have received, has been disseminated by the PMOI itself, or its political wing, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, NCRI. Unfortunately, the Government has no means of authenticating the reported audio tape from the period which has now emerged, but it does not alter or conflict with what was already known. In dealing with Iran today, 28 years later, Ireland and our EU partners do not hesitate to express our strong concerns about human rights issues in Iran, including the jailing of opponents and the use of the death penalty.

The additional information circulating recently on these events, which many members of the Oireachtas will have received, has been disseminated by the PMOI themselves or their political wing the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the NCRI. Unfortunately, the Government has no means of authenticating the reported audio tape from the period which has now emerged, but it does not alter or conflict with what was already known. In dealing with Iran today, 28 years later, Ireland and our EU partners do not hesitate to express our strong concerns about human rights issues in Iran, including the jailing of opponents and the use of the death penalty.

These remain serious problems, but are far removed from the ghastly events of 1988. We must recognise progress where it has been made. In that respect, it is also considered by most western states that there has been some relaxation of internal controls in Iran in recent years and that the current Iranian Government and leadership are the most hopeful for many years, even though it is our view that they have still to really deliver on their welcome expressions of intent on human rights. In doing so, we seek to persuade and pressure Iran into continuing to move in the right direction. This approach of dialogue and persuasion is the essence of our approach to foreign policy, however frustrating it sometimes can be. The PMOI and the NCRI seek instead to assert that the Iranian regime should be confronted and overthrown, not reasoned with. This is an approach we cannot follow.

Ireland strongly supports the principle of accountability for violations of human rights. We would have no objection in principle to any appropriate international mechanism considering historical events regarding allegations of systematic violation of human rights in any country, including Iran. Our own focus as a Government and our limited resources, however, must be concentrated on seeking to improve human rights in Iran today. This month, for instance, we have co-sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran at the General Assembly of the United Nations. We will continue to do all we can in this regard.