A DEMAND that "murder on a large scale and genocide on a huge scale" be ended in East Timor was made by Mr Michael Lanigan (FF) in the Seanad last night.
Senators debated a Fine Gael motion commending the Government's commitment to an internationally accepted solution to the ongoing occupation and human rights abuses in the former Portuguese colonial territory.
The motion also urged the Government to make the issue one of its priorities during the Irish EU presidency.
Mr Lanigan said he joined in the condemnation of the Indonesian government for its behaviour in East Timor. The genocide that had been happening there was supported by countries who were supposed to be friends of ours, he noted. The Australians were unfortunately on the wrong side, but their impact on that society was enormous.
"We must use our EU Presidency to eliminate the genocide that is being committed in many parts of the world following the departure of colonial powers from various areas."
Senator David Norris was to be praised for his activities on behalf of the East Timorese, added Mr Lanigan. He had tried his best at every level to circulate information about what was happening there and had even tried, unsuccessfully, to gain admission to the territory.
East Timor had an enormous economic potential because of its natural resources. Unfortunately, these assets were not controlled by the native people but by outside interests and with the collusion of Australia and other countries.