Sudan violence and Ireland's response
Ruth Coppinger asked what Ireland was doing about atrocities in Sudan and its links to wider regional support and arms supplies. The Taoiseach said the Government was deeply concerned, active through EU channels, and would provide a written briefing.
What is the Government doing about the bloodbath taking place in Sudan? The programme for Government refers to Ireland playing its part in the EU on conflict resolution. I have been visited by Sudanese people living in my constituency of Dublin West, which is also that of the Taoiseach, and they are extremely concerned about the rapes, torching of tents, floggings and dumping of bodies in the Nile. The brutal repression of the revolution and uprising taking place against the dictator, al-Bashir, could not take place without funding from Saudi Arabia and arms from the UK and other EU member states.
Prior to the crackdown, the military leaders visited all of the reactionary regimes in Egypt, Saudi Arabia etc. to get advice on how to drown this revolution in blood. It is a huge issue. The young people who organised a protest at the Spire at 3 p.m. on Saturday are asking what the Government is doing about this murderous regime.
Comment on this
The Government is very concerned about the absence of democracy in Sudan and the gross violations of human rights that have been happening in that country for a long time. It is very active on the issue, for example, through the Tánaiste's attendance at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. I would be happy to provide the Deputy with a written briefing that would set out the actions that have taken place.