Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is frightening that we have to debate this motion. I am honoured to second it on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Members of Seanad Éireann, but it pains me that people in any part of the world have to debate this issue and that girls, women or any other human beings are living under such fear and oppression.

Our motion unreservedly condemns the abuse of Mahsa Amini by the Iranian morality police and we utterly condemn her death in custody. We dispute the false narrative that is being used to explain her death and we condemn the deaths of all of the young women named by Senator Chambers. We recognise that, following Mahsa Amini's abuse by the morality police and her death in custody, women and men across Iran have exercised, and continue to attempt to exercise, their fundamental right to assemble and protest and that, despite repeated calls for restraint, the response of the Iranian security and police forces to demonstrations has been disproportionate and has resulted in the loss of lives as well as large numbers of injuries. Our motion agrees that the decision to restrict Internet access by the relevant Iranian authorities and to block instant messaging platforms and what we take for granted as being basic forms of communications raises concerns. It blatantly violates freedom of expression, a basic freedom that every human should be able to enjoy.

The widespread and disproportionate use of force against non-violent protestors is unjustifiable and unacceptable and it must stop. People in Iran, as anywhere else, have a right to peaceful protest. That right must be ensured, protected and asserted in all circumstances.

We are specifically calling on the Iranian authorities to abide strictly by the principles enshrined in the ICCPR, to which Iran is a party. We want them to stop the violent crackdowns on protests immediately. We want to ensure that Internet access and the free flow of modern communications are restored and guaranteed for every human being. We want clarity on the number of deaths and arrests, we want the release of all non-violent protestors and we want to ensure that due process is provided to all detainees.

We must ensure that the killing of Mahsa Amini is properly and fairly investigated and that any person who is proven to have had any hand, act or part in causing her death is held accountable. We look to the Minister, on behalf of the Government, to assert our values, to speak up for Mahsa Amini and all of the girls, women and other human beings in Iran who are being oppressed and terrorised, and to assert their freedom and independence.