Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
347. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic contacts and-or bilateral he has arranged or meetings he has attended to highlight the plight of civilians in Aleppo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30368/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council yesterday, at which the crisis in Aleppo was discussed in depth. I also discussed the situation in Syria and Aleppo in my meetings with EU and other international partners at the UN last month, as well as with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
From the outset of the Syrian conflict, Ireland has been clear that we believe that this is a crisis of political legitimacy and that only a political solution will be viable and sustainable. We are clear that this must be “Syrian-owned and Syrian-led”. We have also been consistent in condemning the pattern of systematic violence against civilians, in which 100,000s have been killed and millions more wounded or forced to flee violence and terrorism. We have called for the protection of all civilians from military force and terrorism and the unimpeded provision of humanitarian assistance to populations in need and full accountability on behalf of the victims of crimes under international law.
It is clear from a wide range of reports that the Assad regime has been overwhelmingly responsible for the deaths of Syrians since the beginning of the uprising in March 2011. The Commission of Inquiry established by UN Human Rights Council has reported findings of evidence that the Assad regime may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. The excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of military force against the besieged population of Aleppo is a clear violation of international law.
Ireland’s concerns have been directly conveyed in the clearest terms to the Russian authorities at my direction. On behalf of the Irish people, I urge Russia to use all its influence in Syria to end these inhumane actions against a defenceless civilian population.
Ireland has repeatedly called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court. The suffering of the besieged population in Aleppo underlines both the urgency and importance of ensuring accountability for those responsible for these actions.
The attacks have rightly appalled people across Ireland and around the world.
As a Government we have placed huge emphasis on doing what we can to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, through provision of humanitarian aid. Earlier this month I approved €1.5 million for the ICRC for their work inside Syria and €1 million to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees affected by the Syria crisis which, combined with our recent disbursement of €5M to the Turkey Refugee Facility, brings our total contribution to the Syrian crisis to €62M since 2012.
