Sir, – When is the Oireachtas going to follow the example of the Lithuanian parliament by legally recognising that religious genocide is taking place on a regular basis in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and parts of Africa? In all these places Christians are being killed because of their religion. The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide defines genocide as a systematic killing or seriously harming of people because they are part of a recognisable group which may be “national, ethnic, racial or religious” and the treaty singles out “acts committed with intent to destroy [that group] in whole or in part”. Passage of such a resolution by the Oireachtas would remind the individuals or groups responsible for these acts that they may one day be held to account for their actions. – Yours, etc,
ED KELLY,
St Helens,
Merseyside, England.