Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2014
81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community can co-operate in its efforts to prevent the public executions of innocent civilians by hooded and masked executioners, whose disguise prevents subsequent retribution for war crimes; if specific initiatives may be taken in this regard at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37685/14]
View answerThis question attempts to focus on the issues with which Members have been greeted recently on their television screens, whereby there appears to be a policy in some quarters to wear camouflage uniforms to the extent that those who carry out executions of innocent civilians cannot be identified in the context of a war crimes tribunal. My inquiry is to ascertain the extent to which we in this country can influence the international community with a view to taking some action that may be suitable in this context.
I thank Deputy Durkan. The murders to which he 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 must be accountability for all such actions, including through referral to the International Criminal Court. The recent report of the 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 co-ordinated response from the international community. At EU level, a special meeting of the European Council in August called for accelerated implementation of a package of measures agreed in June 2013 concerning four priority areas, namely, prevention of radicalisation, detection of suspicious travel, investigation and prosecution and co-operation with third countries. The European Council will review this issue next December. More broadly, UN Security Council Resolution 2178 of 2014 on foreign terrorist fighters was adopted unanimously in September 2014. Ireland co-sponsored the resolution, together with 103 other states, which included 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 on the issue.
I thank the Minister for his reply and congratulate him and his colleagues on their appointments. I wish them well in their roles for what hopefully will be many a long day. The execution of innocent people or the prevention of normal society to function by people wearing masks or hoods appears to have become common practice. For example, when the Dutch authorities and the relatives of those lost in a recent air crash tried to recover their personal belongings and to visit the site, they were prevented from so doing by masked and hooded men in military uniforms. As a supplementary question, can I ask the extent to which Ireland and the European Union together can create an environment internationally whereby it may not be so desirable and possible for people to act in this fashion, be it ISIS or other bodies and agencies?
The Deputy is correct and I believe that Ireland can play an important role, together with other member states of the United Nations and the European Union, in ensuring there is a co-ordinated approach across a range of issues. The Deputy will be aware of the EU approach to combating terrorism in the region, as outlined. Developments, particularly in Iraq and Syria, were discussed at a special meeting of the Council in August. The Council stated it was appalled and condemned firmly the indiscriminate killings and human rights violations perpetrated by ISIS and other terrorist organisations. The Council stated its determination to counter the threat and increased its emphasis on stemming the flow of foreign fighters. I wish to state with particular reference to Ireland that there are a number of issues in which we can engage to ensure we also are tackling the underlying causes of radicalisation.
This is done through community outreach initiatives.
In terms of preventative measures, in this jurisdiction the Garda Síochána continues to monitor the movements of suspects and those involved in extremist behaviour. In tandem with the Garda, gardaí at the highest level operate a progressive community relations programme through the racial intercultural and diversity office. That office was recently the subject of favourable comment by the UN counter-terrorism executive directive. I am in constant contact with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, who recently published new counter-terrorism legislation, the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2014, and, when enacted, that Bill will create three new offences, the first being public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, the second being the matter of recruitment for terrorism, and the third being training for terrorism. I assure the Deputy that we look forward to ongoing engagement at national level, international level through our EU colleagues and partners, and the wider international community through our membership of the United Nations.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Is there a danger that the European Union and United Nations may be intimidated by people from whatever background who carry out such executions? As a result of being unable to respond in a fashion likely to convince the perpetrators of the need to change their modus operandi, what can the international community then do to counter this kind of terrorism?
I assure the Deputy that the international community will engage at the highest level. Last week, I had an opportunity of attending a specially convened meeting by the Secretary of State, John Kerry, in the United States at which this matter was discussed. The Deputy will be aware that in terms of our international engagement from a political, security and humanitarian point of view, our strength lies in the political and humanitarian areas. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, is actively engaged in ensuring Ireland is to the fore in providing humanitarian relief aid across the region, including in Ukraine, as the Deputy mentioned, Syria and northern Iraq. From a political dimension, we are actively engaged at the EU Foreign Affairs Council level with our colleagues in the European Union and the wider community of the United Nations. First and foremost, we see a non-military solution to these crises throughout the region. We will, through political and diplomatic channels, actively pursue and spread, in so far as we can, diplomatic solutions to what are very real and serious problems from an international perspective.
