Fine Gael believes that the actions of the Syrian regime in attacking and killing innocent civilians represent crimes against humanity, and that the deliberate obstruction of UN action by Russia and China is an affront to the world.
This motion was proposed by YFG’s International Secretary Julie O’Leary, and was unanimously adopted by the 76th Fine Gael Ard Fheis. In proposing the motion, Julie noted, “Assad’s regime was marked by totalitarianism, instability, a total disregard for civil rights.When the Syrian people dared to call for freedom, Assad responded by ordering government troops to slaughter demonstrators.”
Senator Maurice Cummins, Leader of the Seanad, described some of the atrocities that have occured on Assad’s orders. UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay has reported children in detention were being tortured. ”Children shot in the knees, held together with adults in really inhumane conditions, denied medical treatment for their injuries.”
“We must never take peace and prosperity for granted”- Min. for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton
Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton gave a strongly worded condemnation of the Syrian regime. “The horrific actions of the Assad Regime in Syria have highlighted the contrast between our societies and the barbaric repression suffered by the population there. I absolutely condemn the actions of the Assad regime and unequivocally conclude that the actions of that same regime can only be described as crimes against humanity. The events in Syria remind us of how Europe once was just over 60 years ago…we must never take peace and prosperity for granted”.
Julie concluded by describing the actions of Russia and China in preventing decisive UN action on Syria as an affront to the democratic world. “For 9000 Syrian citizens who have been murdered, and hundreds of thousands more who have been forced to flee their homes, Kofi Annan’s peace plan may be too little to late. However now the international community need to hold Assad to his commitments, and ensure that violence in Syria ends so that a process of political reform can begin.”
