Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 3

Written Answers. - War Crimes Tribunal.

Ray Burke

Question:

15 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will actively promote the establishment of a Permanent War Crimes Tribunal; and if he will use his position as President of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to ensure united EU support in the UN in the upcoming debate on this issue. [17475/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland has strongly advocated the establishment of a permanent international criminal court, as we believe that it is only through such a court that the international community can effectively bring to justice those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law. The support of the European Union for the establishment of an international criminal court was made clear in the memorandum accompanying my Presidency address on behalf of the European Union to the 51st General Assembly of the United Nations on 24 September last.

A Preparatory Committee has already been established under UN General Assembly Resolution 50/46 to begin negotiations on the provisions of an international treaty to establish the international criminal court. The most recent session of this Committee was held in August 1996. The issue will be taken up by the United Nations General Assembly during its current session in late October.

Ireland, and its partners in the European Union, have been actively participating in the discussions to date within the Preparatory Committee. In our role as Presidency of the European Union, Ireland will be active in promoting the support of the Union for such a court as well as working for a constructive outcome to the debate within the UN General Assembly on its establishment. We attach importance to making good progress in the work of the Preparatory Committee which would lead to the convening of an international conference to adopt a convention establishing and international criminal court.