LIMERICK politician Paul Gavan has directly challenged the leadership of the Council of Europe on their silence around the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.
The Sinn Féin Senator, who failed to win a seat in the recent European elections, also hit out at the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe, which is the EU’s human rights parliament in Strasbourg, over its specific failure to date to condemn the “murderous actions of the Israeli government”.
Speaking on behalf of the Unified European Left during questions to the Committee of Ministers, Senator Gavan highlighted “the contrast between the strong condemnation by European Ministers of Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine and the abject silence by the same committee of ministers about the ongoing genocide in Gaza”.
“We’re now nine months into the slaughter of the Palestinian people and I cannot find one word of condemnation anywhere from the Committee of Ministers. How do you explain this disgraceful stance of double standards?” he asked.
“The response from Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who was speaking on behalf of the Committee of Ministers, was to completely ignore the question before eventually expressing “deep concern” regarding what is happening in Gaza.
Speaking at the conclusion of the session, Senator Gavan expressed his dismay at the response he received from Minister.
“It simply beggars’ belief that nine months into the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, this institution which proclaims its values as being the upholding of human rights, democracy and the rule of law still cannot find any words of condemnation for Israel.
“This act of collective denial on behalf of the committee of ministers totally undermines any credibility when it comes to their other pronouncements such as those regarding Ukraine. You cannot be selective when it comes to comes to defending human rights,” he said.
