Thomas Gould
Question:997. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that the European Union is taking to investigate the death of a person (details supplied). [41932/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (997)
Written answers
I strongly condemned the killing of Ms Abu Akleh in Jenin on 11 May 2022 as she carried out her vital work as a journalist. Media freedom and the safety of journalists must be protected, including in situations of conflict, and I called for an impartial, independent and effective investigation. Accountability must be ensured and those responsible brought to justice.
I also condemned unreservedly the policing of the funeral in Jerusalem, which was attended by Ireland’s Representative in Ramallah. The use of force against mourners by the Jerusalem police was wholly unacceptable and rightly attracted widespread condemnation.
On 11 May, the EU condemned Ms Abu Akleh’s killing, calling for a thorough and independent investigation. The EU expressed solidarity with journalists and emphasised the importance of supporting their fundamental work, in particular while covering conflicts. On 13 May, the EU’s High Representative/Vice President, Josep Borrell, also made a statement in response to the use of force by the Israeli police at Ms Abu Akleh’s funeral.
On 13 May, Ireland joined other members of the UN Security Council in condemning Ms Abu Akleh’s killing and stressing the need for accountability. The Council called for a thorough, transparent, fair and impartial investigation into her killing and recalled that journalists should be protected as civilians. Ireland has continued to raise this issue in monthly meetings of the Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
On 24 May, Ireland organised a meeting at the UN Security Council on the protection of journalists. Ireland stressed that peace and security, freedom of expression and a free and independent press are inextricably linked, and again called for an independent investigation into Ms Abu Akleh’s killing and for the perpetrators to be held to account. A debate on the protection of journalists in armed conflict also took place in the Dáil on 24 May.
The overall human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory remains a key priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Ireland will continue to take every opportunity to stress the need for respect for human rights and full accountability, in particular in our role as a member of the UN Security Council. I am committed to working with partners to promote coherent and effective EU action towards a lasting and peaceful two-State solution.