LIMERICK Sinn Féin Senator Paul Gavan has condemned the government’s refusal to speak out against the dictatorship in Saudi Arabia for its seven-year war of terror on the people of Yemen.
Speaking in the Seanad this week, the Castleconnell politician highlighted the role that Shannon Airport has played in the war, informing Minister of State Joe O’Brien that every US Military advisor helping to train Saudi pilots to drop bombs on Yemeni citizens has come through Shannon Airport.
“377,000 Yemenis have died as a result of the war, including a minimum of 10,000 children. The Saudi regime has also enforced a criminal blockade preventing vital aid reaching the Yemeni people. Every 10 minutes, a Yemeni child dies as a result of this blockade,” he told Minister O’Brien.
Senator Gavan took the view that the government needs to take a leading role in calling for an arms embargo, and end the ongoing support for this “appalling” war through the US Military use of Shannon Airport.
“Every US military advisor helping to train Saudi pilots to drop those bombs on the Yemeni population has come through Shannon. The shameful silence of our government with regard to this war, the continuing refusal to condemn the Saudi dictatorship, or even call for an investigation into war crimes begs the question, why did the government seek a seat on the UN Security Council in the first place?” he asked.
Senator Gavan also asked for an explanation as to why a Minister was in Saudi touting for more business even as the regime was preparing to carry out 81 executions in one day and continuing its campaign of bombing in Yemen.
“Two weeks ago, the government sent a Minister of State to Saudi Arabia to tout for more business. At that time, the regime was just preparing to engage in a series of executions – there were 81 executions in one day.”
He concluded by calling on the Minister to use our seat at the UN Security Council to call for an end to the war, condemn Saudi aggression, and condemn arms sales by members of the EU, Britain and the US to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In response, Minister O’Brien said: “As a member of the Security Council, Ireland has engaged extensively in support of the UN’s efforts. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has held discussions with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen as well as with Major General Michael Beary, head of the United Nations mission to support the Hudaydah agreement. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has also engaged extensively with the countries of the region, including in direct talks with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran and the UAE.
“In all of these discussions, the Minister has stressed the need to de-escalate hostilities and work with urgency towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. He has also highlighted the need to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all people in need.”
