Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 92: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations to the embassies of the United States and Turkey to ensure the safety of a person (details supplied) kidnapped by armed men in Damascus, Syria. [15585/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am deeply concerned about the current situation in Syria, including the violent repression against large numbers of people in Syria who have been simply trying to exercise their right to freedom of expression, whether in the street or online. The deaths which according to estimates now number more than 1,200 and detentions, and the torture and intimidation of peaceful Syrian citizens, are completely unacceptable and a violation of the Syrian Government's responsibility and international obligations to protect its citizens. Ireland and the EU have condemned this violence and called for restraint and dialogue, and have enacted sanctions against Syria to persuade it to change its approach. However, the particular case raised by the Deputy has now been revealed to be a hoax, with an Edinburgh-based US Middle East activist admitting to have written the blogs in question.