Press Release 090114
From Irish anti-War Movement
LETTER PUBLISHED IN IRISH TIMES TODAY RE CHARLIE HEBDO KILLINGS
Sir,
the horrific murders in Paris must be roundly condemned. It should be possible to criticise and satirise both public figures and ideology without such actions from young men, alienated and angry as they may be.
It is equally important that the response to the attacks does not lead either to an increase in future terrorist attacks or a rise in attacks on Muslims. Hatred and revenge are not the answer to the grief that the relatives of the victims are experiencing.
The French Government could lead effectively in calming the widespread public anger and grief by reflecting on its own dubious foreign policy, which along with that of other western powers has fostered instability, sectarianism, oppression and hundreds of thousands of Muslims killed and injured, all of which has ultimately led to a rise in terrorism. We should remember that the response of the French Government to the brutal suppression by Tunisian dictator Ben Ali to the calls for democracy by peaceful protesters was to offer to send 300 French paratroopers.
Press Release 090114
From Irish anti-War Movement
LETTER PUBLISHED IN IRISH TIMES TODAY RE CHARLIE HEBDO KILLINGS
Sir,
the horrific murders in Paris must be roundly condemned. It should be possible to criticise and satirise both public figures and ideology without such actions from young men, alienated and angry as they may be.
It is equally important that the response to the attacks does not lead either to an increase in future terrorist attacks or a rise in attacks on Muslims. Hatred and revenge are not the answer to the grief that the relatives of the victims are experiencing.
The French Government could lead effectively in calming the widespread public anger and grief by reflecting on its own dubious foreign policy, which along with that of other western powers has fostered instability, sectarianism, oppression and hundreds of thousands of Muslims killed and injured, all of which has ultimately led to a rise in terrorism. We should remember that the response of the French Government to the brutal suppression by Tunisian dictator Ben Ali to the calls for democracy by peaceful protesters was to offer to send 300 French paratroopers.
Serious reflection and positive actions on foreign policy by the French Government would be the best response at this tragic time.
JIM ROCHE, PRO,
Irish Anti-War Movement,
PO Box 9260,
Dublin 1.
END
Contact:
John Molyneux, Steering Committee IAWM, Tel. 085 735 6424
Jim Roche, PRO Steering Committee IAWM, Tel. 087 647 2737
Glenda Cimino, Steering Committee IAWM, Tel. 087 086 124 9456
Website – www.irishantiwar.org
@IrishAntiWarMvt https://twitter.com/#!/IrishAntiWarMvt
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