Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD condemns sectarian violence and killings in Syria

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, has condemned sectarian violence and killings reported in northwest Syria.

The Cork South-Central TD said:

“The horrifying images and news reports from Syria over the weekend are of great alarm and concern.

“For 14 years, Syria has been engulfed in a bloody civil war that has caused immense suffering and hardship. This eventually saw the fall of the Assad regime last December.

“This weekend saw numerous and credible reports of significant sectarian violence, targeted at religious minorities in Syria, such as the Alawite minority.

“United Nations’ reports that ‘entire families, including women, children and hors de combat fighters, have been killed’ is the latest tragedy in the story of a country torn apart.

“Syria needs a comprehensive transnational justice process to secure peace, one that includes the principles of democracy, national integrity and self-determination by multilateralism. The Syrian Government cannot allow sectarian violence to continue, religious minorities must be safe from persecution.

“The international community is key to ensuring its implementation, without it Syria will continue to be plagued by similar acts of horror that will occur time and time again.”