Syrian Conflict

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Ceisteanna (912)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

912. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the case of a Palestinian refugee (details supplied) who had to flee his home in Syria due to the conflict there, who has been living in Jordan but now faces deportation back to Syria, where he faced possible torture and death; if the Minister will raise this case with his Jordanian counterpart and call on the Jordanian authorities to stall the person's deportation, while Germany processes the person's application for asylum. [22361/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland regards the protection of refugees as a core human rights priority. The Syrian conflict, which has displaced millions of Syrians, including over 4 million refugees, is the gravest such problem internationally.

Ireland has committed €41M in humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Syrian conflict. Ireland has also accepted 128 refugees fleeing Syria in previous years and is committed to accepting a further 220 during 2015 and 2016. Furthermore, 114 applicants for admission to Ireland under the Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme have been accepted, many of whom are already in the state.

All refugee cases are marked by tragedy and the threat of violence. The latest status of the case raised by the Deputy, including such critical matters as the State in which he is currently located, is unclear.

We urge all States to uphold their international legal obligations to protect refugees and asylum-seekers, in this and all other cases of persons seeking refuge from the Syrian conflict.