Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has spoken out against what he calls the cruel and horrific detention of children separated from their parents on the US-Mexican border and said it violates the rights of these children and their human rights.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Like many others I have been disturbed and appalled by the images coming from the US-Mexican border. Separating children from their parents and detaining them in cages is horrific and a violation of child and human rights.

“The recently released audio footage of children crying out for their parents while a US Federal Officer joked that it was an orchestra reveals just how inhuman this policy is.

“A US Department of Homeland Security spokesman has confirmed that nearly 2,000 children were separated from 1,940 adults who crossed the US border without documents between April 19 and May 31.

“Amnesty International has said this policy is ‘nothing short of torture’ and I agree. The Trump administration has reached a new low with this immoral policy and they should end it immediately.

“I have requested an urgent debate in the Dáil on the issue and I am calling on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, to raise Ireland’s disgust and opposition to this abhorrent policy with the US Government.”

ENDS