Update: ISIS – Foreign Affairs 7th October, 2014

Question No. 81

Parliamentary Question – Oireachtas
　
To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community can cooperate in their efforts to prevent the public executions of innocent civilians by hooded and masked executioners whose disguise prevents any subsequent retribution for war crimes; if any specific initiatives may be taken in this regard at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.
For ORAL answer on Tuesday, 7th October, 2014.
Ref No: 37685/14

REPLY

The murders to which the Deputy refers have arisen mainly in connection with the campaign of terror waged by ISIS across Syria and Iraq. I have been appalled by these atrocities and am of the view that there needs to be accountability for all such actions, including through referral to the International Criminal Court.
The recent report of United Nations Human Rights Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry on Syria reported extensive violations by ISIS, including summary executions, torture, enforced disappearances and forcible displacement.   Ireland supports the ongoing work of the Commission and regards its work of gathering records and evidence of war crimes as an essential component in achieving legal accountability for the victims of the Syrian conflict.
Terrorism poses a global threat and therefore requires a coordinated response from the international community.   At EU level, a special meeting of the European Council on 30 August 2014 called for accelerated implementation of a package of measures agreed in June 2013 concerning four priority areas: prevention of radicalisation, detection of suspicious travel, investigation and prosecution and cooperation with third countries.   The European Council will review this issue in December 2014.
More broadly, UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters was adopted unanimously on 24 September 2014.   Ireland co-sponsored the Resolution along with 103 other States, including all other EU member states.
The terms of this Resolution are consistent with the European Council’s conclusions.   The Resolution takes a comprehensive, human rights compliant approach to tackling the foreign fighters problem in accordance with international law.   It highlights the need to tackle the underlying causes of radicalisation through community outreach initiatives, while at the same time focusing on strengthening legal and security measures.   This comprehensive strategy is very much in line with Ireland’s approach to the issue.