Smith calls on Government to use all diplomatic channels to support Ibrahim Halawa
Published on: 09 January 2016
Fianna Fáil Press Office
Brendan Smith TD
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
09 January 2016
Smith calls on Government to use all diplomatic channels to support Ibrahim Halawa
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Brendan Smith TD has repeated his call for An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to intervene in the case of Irish born citizen Ibrahim Halawa and for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to continue his efforts through diplomatic channels.
Deputy Smith made the comments following the revelation that court proceedings for Ibrahim Halawa have been further delayed until March.
“It is alarming that yet again the trial involving Ibrahim has been delayed. The Firhouse teenager has been in prison awaiting trial since 2013 and has been subject to dubious court proceedings ever since. The further delay of his case is a cause for alarm as is his health.
“I am calling on the Taoiseach to personally intervene on behalf of the Irish state. The Government is not doing enough to secure his release. The Government’s soft diplomatic approach has failed to date and this latest delay to court proceedings demonstrates that a change in approach is now needed.
“There remains no end in sight to this ordeal for Ibrahim despite the fact that he has now been stuck in prison without trial for 845 days. Reprieve, a prominent Human Rights organisation, have pointed out that Ibrahim has been subjected to torture while in prison and has not been afforded a fair trial” added Deputy Smith.
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