Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The recent barbaric actions of ISIS have horrified and shocked the world. I am certain every Member of Seanad Éireann agrees that its actions are a stain on humanity. We have been disgusted by the barbarism displayed in the filming and photographing of victims and the subsequent publication of executions for propaganda purposes. There is no place in a civil society for this inhumane activity. It is clear that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not apply to ISIS. I refer specifically to Article 3, the right to life and liberty, and Article 5 which states that "No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment".

As mentioned yesterday, Cuba is in the midst of nine days of mourning following the death of Fidel Castro. I feel compelled to comment on this. Thousands of Cubans died in front of Castro's infamous paredón, the wall, by firing squad. Those involved gleefully recorded their actions in photographs in order to assist in their propaganda war at home. It should never be forgotten that Fidel Castro was an oppressor, who sanctioned the torture and murder of gay people. In 1965, his regime established prison work camps, known as military units, to aid production, into which it sent homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses and other undesirables who stepped out of line with the communist ideology. For everyone with a basic understanding of the history of Europe during the Second World War there is a chilling similarity in the tactics of Castro's regime and that of Hitler in regard to the use of prison work camps.

I now want to read into the record of the Seanad nine names, one for every day of mourning. Delgado, 15 years of age, was beaten to death in 1981 when security agents stormed the embassy of Ecuador where his family had taken refuge. Lydia, 25 year of age, who was eight months pregnant, was repeatedly kicked while in custody. She lost her baby and then, having been left without medication, bled to death. A 70 year old woman named Edmunda was beaten to death in 1981 in a Cuban jail. In 1981 two men, González and Lugo, were executed but the regime reported the deaths as suicides. Maleras and Valverde were assassinated in 1994 while trying to obtain asylum. Radio operator Perán was assassinated in 1965 by Cuban state security. Police officer Cortés was executed by firing squad in 1959.