A chara, – Michael Jansen suggests that among the solutions to the horror taking place in Syria is a programme of "re-education" ("Islamic State is a cult that cannot be bombed out of existence", October 20th). Possibly even as she was writing these words, an unnamed 17-year-old boy was entering into his final moments of agony in Raqqa, the group's de facto capital. He died after enduring an excruciating three days on a metal cross in the town square. His crime? Apostasy, leaving Islam to become a Christian, along with an accusation of espionage. His killers proudly posted images of his battered body on social media.
I am sure I am not alone in longing and praying for a peaceful solution to the barbarities taking place under this regime.
Ms Jansen’s programme of education needs to begin now; could she please provide some concrete examples as to how it might take place? There is no time to wait – Islamic State has many more crosses of metal and wood standing in the public squares of Raqqa and other towns. These are part of their own educational programme; to teach all who see them of the fate that awaits those who oppose them in any way. – Is mise,
Rev PATRICK G BURKE,
Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.
Sir, – Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald announced additional terror offences in the Seanad on October 7th and expressed concern about the "recruitment and training for terrorist activities" ("Three new terrorism offences introduced in Bill", October 7th). This decision is to be welcomed.
Terrorising people is a very serious crime, especially when the tools of terrorism including horrific killings, torture and most serious abuses of women and children. The Islamic State, in Iraq and Syria is guilty of all these crimes but it is not alone.
The state of Saudi Arabia is reported to have executed at least 26 people in the month of August 2014 by publicly beheading them. Drone strikes by the US have killed over 2,400 people over the past five years, almost half of whom were innocent civilians, causing widespread terror in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere, in clear breach of international laws.
Ms Fitzgerald stated that the Irish terrorism legislation was to combat terrorist activity and ensure that “there were no gaps in Irish laws by dealing with more subtle and indirect aspects of modern terrorism”. The Minister also said that “there is considerable concern across Europe and elsewhere at the phenomenon of individuals travelling to conflict areas in the Middle East”. We should expect then that the new anti-terrorist legislation will include sanctions against Islamic State and states such as Saudi Arabia, as well as steps to prevent recruitment of Irish citizens into foreign armies that have been fighting unjustified wars causing terror in the Middle East, including the UK and US.
Should we also expect that armed “individuals travelling to conflict areas in the Middle East” through Shannon airport will be arrested and tried under this new Irish legislation? – Yours, etc,
EDWARD HORGAN,
Castletroy, Limerick.