Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2015
223. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans, through Ireland's participation on the United Nations Human Rights Council, to seek accountability for potential war crimes committed by all participants in the conflict between Israeli and Palestinian factions in summer 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11000/15]
View answerAny breaches of international law committed during the 2014 Gaza conflict should be investigated.
In July last year, the UN Human Rights Council, meeting in a special session, established a Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict. As I have previously stated, Ireland fully supports this Commission in fulfilling its mandate.
On Monday of this week, the Commissioners requested a deferral of the presentation of their report to the Human Rights Council, which had been due on 23 March, until June 2015. The Commissioners said in their statement: ‘these are complex issues – weighing the facts and considering the legal questions that arise is something that should not be rushed under any circumstances’.
I look forward to reading the report of the Commission whenever it is published and to considering how best we can respond to any findings it makes.
