Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the top twenty most serious locations globally in which conflict and crimes against humanity are most prevalent; the extent of efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice through the EU or UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12460/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraConflict regrettably continues to be prevalent throughout the world, in spite of the call made by the UN Secretary-General to all warring parties to pull back from hostilities during the current pandemic. It is the most significant driver of humanitarian crises. The number and complexity of these crises globally has increased in recent years, as evidenced by a UN estimate that a record 239 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Each conflict is unique in its character, scale and complexity, and as such cannot be ranked by any single set of criteria of severity.
Ireland is a strong contributor to global efforts to avoid and resolve conflict, prevent genocide, and eliminate the abuse of women and children and all vulnerable groups. Central to this is our strong and enduring commitment to effective multilateralism, particularly through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations.
The EU, through implementation of its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), works globally to support the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and the strengthening of international security. Ireland is an active participant in and contributor to CFSP implementation and in supporting EU and UN efforts to address the root causes of conflict.
Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN and EU peace-support missions, including in some of the world’s most complex and intractable conflicts. Ireland has maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958, and has more than 570 personnel in United Nations mandated missions overseas. The Government is committed to participation in peacekeeping operations as a tangible contribution to the development of global peace and security.
Accountability, including for crimes against humanity, is important not only as a means of pursuing justice for victims, but also as a crucial component to create stability and peace in post-conflict situations. A strong international criminal justice system is central to fighting impunity. While states bear the primary responsibility to investigate the most serious international crimes, Ireland regards the International Criminal Court as the cornerstone of such a system. Ireland, together with its EU partners is a consistent and strong supporter of the Court. We will also support and defend the Court throughout our term on the United Nations Security Council, where ensuring accountability is one of the key principles underpinning our engagement.
