03 November 2005
Dr. Henry: Will the Leader ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come into the House so he can update us on the deteriorating situation in Ethiopia?
This is one of our priority countries in Africa. Members of the Oireachtas and former Members were very important in monitoring the election in May yet a satisfactory conclusion has not been reached even in respect of the results of that election. Yesterday a large number of unarmed people were killed in Addis Ababa. Our embassy in Ethiopia has been exemplary in recent months in trying to encourage all those involved in the political process to move forward. I was there a few weeks ago and I cannot but say that I was extremely distressed to read about the truly shocking casualties arriving at the hospitals I visited. We have put a great deal of time and effort into this country and we were very encouraged that progress was being achieved. I would be most grateful if the Leader could arrange a debate.
An issue the Leader raised in the House has come up again, namely, the transfer of prisoners from America, or other parts of the world, to places where they may be tortured. It is extraordinary to see the CIA express worry about this issue. Important members of both the Senate and Congress in America have said that these people are outside the rules of war. Do they have an idea of the danger in which they are placing their own personnel and military by expressing such views? The reason we have rules and the Geneva Convention is that everyone is protected. To hear people say this was truly dreadful. I first raised this issue when we debated the Transfer of Execution of Sentences Bill, which must have been nearly two years ago. Senator Norris and many others have raised the matter. However, we have not received a satisfactory answer as to what is happening in Shannon. If the Leader has any thoughts on what we can do about this issue, I would be most grateful to hear them. As the House has constantly expressed its concern about this issue, it must continue to do so in view of the voices being raised in America saying this is perfectly all right.
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