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Palestinian refugees receive food aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees AP Photo/Mohammed Ballas

TD raises plight of Palestinian refugees with Iranian government

Sinn Féin TD Sean Crowe says that Iran should step in and help 20,000 Palestinian refugees.

THE CRISIS FACING Palestinian refugees in Syria has been raised with the Iranian government – by an Irish politician.

Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe, today raised the plight of Palestinians at the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, with the Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Crowe is currently in Iran with as part of a Foreign Affairs Committee delegation and they met the Foreign Affairs Minister today.

Speaking after the meeting, Crowe said that the 20,000 refugees are “caught in the crossfire” between Syrian rebels and military.

“As rebel forces refuse to leave the camp it has been besieged by the Syrian army, which is creating a severe humanitarian crisis, as the residents have extremely limited access to food, medicines, and other vital supplies.

“Due to the fighting and the siege the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has been unable to deliver any aid to the camp since last September, and at least 15 people have died of hunger.”

The raising of the plight of Palestinian refugees comes against the backdrop of Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Richard Bruton’s trip to the Gulf region. This visit was deemed “not the time or place” to raise human rights concerns.

UNRWA has said that the refugees are surviving in harsh conditions, many on a diet of stale vegetables, animal feed and cooking spices dissolved in water. Crowe said he is hopeful Iran can use its standing in the region to help solve the problem.

I raised the issue with the Iranian Foreign Minister to appeal to him to use his influence in Damascus to try and ensure the Syrian authorities resolve the situation peacefully and allow vital aid to reach these refugees as soon as possible.

Read: Government won’t say if Taoiseach has or will raise human rights concerns with Gulf states

Read: The human rights issues which aren’t being discussed on Taoiseach’s Gulf visit

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48 Comments
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    Mute shadow75
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    Oct 16th 2012, 11:16 AM

    Great news they could do with a lot more tri colours up there

    71
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    Mute Alan McEvoy
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    Oct 16th 2012, 11:47 AM

    The shop in Belfast sells Union Jacks too!

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    Mute Alan McEvoy
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    Oct 16th 2012, 4:19 PM

    Dont know why I got a load of down arrows. The shop in Belfast does indeed reflect the diversity of the city ie you can buy Union Jacks etc.

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    Mute Pierce2020
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    Oct 16th 2012, 11:14 AM

    Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water there Trap.

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    Mute ✨Ange✨
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    Oct 16th 2012, 3:41 PM

    Great news, every day another company closes it’s doors and here’s one creating employment!!! Serious negativity going on here! 250 staff that’s quite a few people!

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    Mute Vinny O'Mahony
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    Oct 16th 2012, 1:31 PM

    Trap is explaining why he doesn’t try out new young players.

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    Mute Conor Conneally
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    Oct 16th 2012, 1:21 PM

    40 shades of tat is sold in that shop. I suppose American tourists and their money are easily parted so fair play them

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    Mute Dec Kavanagh
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    Oct 16th 2012, 9:52 PM

    Who cares what they sell or who they sell to. They employ 250 staff and pay their taxes which is very welcome in this current climate. Well done Carrolls.

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    Mute Dec Kavanagh
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    Oct 16th 2012, 9:48 PM

    Well done Colm Carroll. Great Irish success story now opening in Belfast.

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    Mute Fuzi Le Bon
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    Oct 16th 2012, 3:00 PM

    shop is a rip off

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    Mute Slap'stick Ireland
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    Oct 16th 2012, 12:43 PM

    Dunphy shows us his recommendation for new Ireland manager.

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    Mute jumpthecat
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    Oct 16th 2012, 1:15 PM

    It’s not Eamon Dunphy.

    Or funny.

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    Mute Slap'stick Ireland
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    Oct 16th 2012, 1:58 PM

    Was intended to be funny. Never mind. I’ll get my coat.

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    Mute Andrew Carroll
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    May 12th 2016, 4:44 PM

    Well done to all at Carroll’s. A great enterprise and a fantastic story that hard work and dedication really does pay off. The first shop opened in the recession of the 80s. That’s saying something!!!

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    Mute Susan O'Neill
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    Oct 17th 2012, 10:08 PM

    Fantastic news from a great Irish success story. What’s with negativity folks? Great to have Irish owned business do well here and in the north. Well done to all at Carrolls.

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