Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2016
339. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the report, Taking Sides: The United Nations loss of impartiality, independence and neutrality in Syria, and its findings of how the United Nations' response to the crisis is completely inadequate; and if Syria and other crisis regions such as Palestine indicate that the United Nations has limited influence in war zones. [19238/16]
View answerI share the deep frustrations expressed by the authors of the Taking Sides report. I have previously expressed my strong concerns that the UN Security Council has failed to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court and the lack of measures adopted to constrain the actions by the parties, especially the Assad regime, in their attacks on civilians.
I also accept that the distribution of humanitarian assistance by the UN has been hampered by the Assad regime, and this has also been repeatedly criticized by Ireland. I repeat these condemnations, and call for an end to all sieges and denials of humanitarian access. I believe that the UN faces an extremely challenging task because of the actions of the parties, especially the Assad regime, whose violations of international humanitarian law is unacceptable and must be held to account.
I do not support the call for ending all humanitarian assistance if such denials of access continue. Large sections of the population in regime held areas of Syria are also in grave need of humanitarian assistance and I do not believe that it would be acceptable to punish innocent civilians in regime held areas for the crimes of the regime.
However, I have also repeatedly made clear my support for the UN in its efforts to work for a political resolution. The fault for the failure of peace in Syria is not the UN’s, but lies with those who have consistently sought to use violence and are seeking to continue the conflict.
The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a challenge for the entire international community – one on which Ireland is actively engaged – is not analogous to the situation in Syria.
The capacity of the UN to act to successfully address conflicts is dependent on the actions and policies of its Member States and the parties to conflicts.
