Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 5

Written Answers. - War Crimes Tribunal.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

33 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which the Government intends to pursue its stated policy of working through every available channel to assist in ensuring the successful implementation of the process of bringing before the International War Crimes Tribunal those held responsible for war crimes in Bosnia-Herzegovina, particularly since the Dayton Agreement does not include any specific commitment to pursue this course. [18310/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

In the wars in the former Yugoslavia mass murder, indiscriminate slaughter and rape became the weapons of choice for the protagonists as they attempted to ethnicly cleanse their so-called "historical" areas. As in many wars, women, children and the elderly were the primary victims. However, in the former Yugoslavia, unlike most wars, they were not just the victims they were the targets. The establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 1993 was a direct response of the international community to these barbarities.

The Tribunal was established by UN Security Council Resolution 827 of 25 May 1993 "for the prosecution of persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991". It was the first international war crimes tribunals to be created since the Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals which followed World War II, and the first ever under UN auspices. To date 52 indictments have been handed down by the Tribunal.

From its inception Ireland and our European Union partners have been strong supporters of the Tribunal. When, initially, agreement could not be reached at the UN on its financing, Ireland was one of a small number of countries which made a voluntary contribution to its upkeep (£15,000 in 1994). Following agreement at the UN General Assembly on its financing in July of this year Ireland was assessed in the amount of almost £24,000. As is our practice, we paid in full and on time.

Ireland is also assisting the Tribunal in other ways. Members of the Permanent Defence Forces who served in the former Yugoslavia have briefed Tribunal officials on their knowledge of events there. Next week officials from the Tribunal are visiting Ireland for further discussions with Irish Army personnel. They have requested advice from Army experts on artillery deployment and crater analysis and have sought live artillery demonstrations in this country. The Defence Forces are co-operating fully with all of these requests.

There is also the question of the implementation within Ireland of the provisions of Security Council Resolution relating to the Tribunal. In this regard my Department is maintaining ongoing contact with the Department of Justice which has primary responsibility for any legislative and other steps which may be necessary.

I would wish to reaffirm the Government's commitment to fully co-operate with the International Tribunal in bringing to justice those people responsible for crimes against humanity who fall within the terms of the Security Council Resolution. Not only must justice be done, but minimum standards of accountability must be set if we are to avoid the creation of a cycle of impunity and the repetition of barbarities of this kind.