Paul Murphy Condemns Melilla Border Killings, Demands Inquiry
Paul Murphy spoke about the Melilla border killings where close to 40 refugees died, condemning the incident and calling for condolences and an independent investigation. He criticised the Taoiseach for failing to condemn the killings or express sympathy and urged the Government to back an inquiry.
Incident details
Murphy described a horrendous tragedy at an EU border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, saying close to 40 refugees fleeing war and persecution were killed. He said some were crushed against the border fences and others were beaten to death by a border force of Morocco which is funded by the European Union.
Government response challenged
He told the Taoiseach he had asked for a condemnation and an independent investigation but said the Taoiseach did neither and did not express condolences. Murphy said the Taoiseach instead accused him of being a propagandist for raising the issue.
International reaction
Murphy noted that since his intervention the UN Security Secretary General had made a statement saying he was very shocked by the killings and opposed the excessive use of force. He cited that statement as part of the case for a formal Government response.
Ministerial reply and next steps
A minister replied that condolences are conveyed to the bereaved and that all violent acts that lead to people being killed are condemned, but said he could not go beyond that without knowing all the facts. The minister said he would ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to reflect on the points raised and to come back with a formal Government position.
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It's almost two weeks since a horrendous tragedy unfolded at an EU border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, where close to 40 refugees fleeing war and persecution were killed. Some of them were crushed up against the border fences, others were beaten to death by a border force of Morocco which is funded by the European Union. It's a graphic illustration of the two-faced and racist policy of Fortress Europe. I asked the Taoiseach about this last week, I asked him to condemn the killings to call for an independent investigation. He did neither of those things, he didn't even express condolences to those who were killed, instead he accused me of being a propagandist for raising this issue. Since then the UN Security Secretary General has made a statement about it, saying he was very shocked by the killings, opposing the excessive use of force. So I want to give the Government another chance to oppose the killings, to criticise the killings that happened, to express condolences and to support the call for an investigation into how this happened. Minister, please. I don't know all the facts of that incident, but of course we convey our condolences to those who have been bereaved, and we condemn all violent acts that lead to people being killed, so I can't go beyond that because I don't know of all the facts of this terrible incident where so many people lost their lives, and I will ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to reflect on what you have said and to come back to you with a formal Government position. Thank you very much.
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