Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support this motion on behalf of the Labour Party Senators. I commend Senator Higgins on her leadership in initiating this important cross-party motion about what has been referred to many times as a forgotten conflict. The appalling conflict in Yemen has been going on for more than three and a half years. All colleagues would wish to express in stronger terms our condemnation of the Saudi and United Arab Emirates, UAE, regimes which are backing the military coalition that has carried out flagrant breaches of international law and appalling attacks upon civilians. Having authored cross-party motions on Syria in this House, I know how difficult it is to get cross-party support. In the past, I have had opposition to strongly worded condemnations of the Syrian regime, which was committing barbaric acts against its own citizens. I commend Senator Higgins because I am conscious of the difficulty of achieving consensus. It is very important that we have cross-party consensus on a motion like this. We must seek to make an impact on Government policy.

I wish to condemn the Saudi-UAE-led military coalition, which is named in the text of the motion. I also condemn the continued sale of arms to the Saudi regime by the US and Britain and, like Senator McDowell, I commend the US Senate, which has taken a stance and put it up to the US President in respect of the continued sale of arms. I also agree with Senator McDowell's comments about the appalling murder of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul at the behest of the Saudi Government. We have to be cognisant of that and certainly may build on this motion in the future with further motions concerning any support our Government may be seen to be giving to that regime, even tacitly. We have a strong reputation for upholding international humanitarian law and in the area of international disarmament, as the motion points out. As a neutral country, we can play an important role as a peace broker, which should be emphasised.

Like others, I was pleased to read the Médecins sans Frontières, MSF, briefing document on Yemen. I commend the very important work of that NGO, which has sent such brave doctors and medical personnel into many conflict zones, particularly into Yemen. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence has been privileged to hear from MSF doctors and staff on various occasions about their work in Yemen, Syria and other countries. It is always humbling to hear of their work and the incredible need they are meeting. Others have spoken about the great number of children at risk of malnutrition in this man-made famine. It is shameful to see a man-made famine occurring in 2018 in a country that was, in fact, well developed. I recall meeting a wonderful politician, a woman, from Yemen many years ago, long before the conflict. She spoke to me of the great progress that was being made in her country at the time towards greater equality for women and a more democratic system. It is heartbreaking to see this huge step backwards and the dreadful suffering of so many civilians as a result.

It is my hope, that of the Labour Party Senators and of all of us that the ceasefire brokered since this motion was drafted will hold, that we will see some peace for the people of Yemen, and that we will see stronger action taken against Saudi Arabia in particular. I urge the Minister of State to do all he can within the EU and on our own behalf to express strong condemnation of Saudi Arabia and its support for the regime in Yemen. I ask him to express the wishes of this House to see this conflict end.