Written answers

Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made or intends to make an official statement regarding the recent unlawful killing of 15 Syrian citizens who were peacefully protesting in the towns of Homs and Kiswa south of Damascus; and if he will ask the Syrian Government to enter into negotiations with Syrian pro-democracy groups whose main aim is to bring Syria to a democracy status. [18220/11]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am deeply concerned about the current situation in Syria and 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. After Friday prayers on 24 June, Syrian armed forces once again opened fire on unarmed protestors in several cities, killing a further 15 people. The death toll now numbers more than 1400, with thousands more detained. I am appalled by the Syrian Government's shocking use of lethal force. Such actions are completely unacceptable and a violation of the Syrian Government's responsibility and international obligations to protect its citizens. The European Council discussed the situation in Syria at its meeting on 23-24 June and condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing repression. Heads of State and Government, including the Taoiseach, noted that by choosing a path of repression instead of fulfilling its own promises on broad reforms, the Syrian regime is calling its own legitimacy into question. The Council was also strongly supportive of diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring that the UN Security Council can assume its responsibility and give an adequate response to the situation in Syria. The EU has also adopted a third round of sanctions against leading instigators of the repression, including President Assad.

Furthermore, the EU has strongly and consistently called for the start of a genuine and inclusive dialogue, including with pro-democracy groups, and fundamental reforms in respond to the demands of the Syrian people. I note the fact that President Assad has announced that a national dialogue will commence and that opposition figures met publicly for the first time in Damascus on 27 June. However, I also note that many opposition figures refuse to enter talks with the government while it continues to instruct its army to fire on unarmed protestors.

Ireland and the EU will continue to use all economic and political means to actively seek a change in policy in Syria until this cycle of appalling and ruinous violence ends.

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