Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take seriously the concerns which have been raised about the well-being of detained evacuees from Homs. The tragedy of Homs, which is just one of a number of areas under siege in Syria, and the deprivation inflicted on its remaining population represent without doubt a crime under international humanitarian law.

Last week’s cynical and cowardly attack against the Homs humanitarian relief convoy, which killed 11 civilians and almost killed the UN country representative and his colleagues, underlines the inhumane conduct of this conflict. It is important to acknowledge the dedication and courage of those same UN staff, who again risked their lives to enter Homs shortly afterwards.

The UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross have also voiced concerns, which we share, about possible torture and mistreatment, and the possible misuse by the regime for either military or intelligence-gathering purposes of the evacuation efforts by the UN and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. UN staff have sought to remain with those detained for their protection. I understand more than 200 of the male evacuees originally detained have now been released but some 180 continue to be questioned and processed by Syrian state agencies. I call for the immediate release of all those being held and for no further obstacles to the safe evacuation of those who wish to leave Homs.

The ongoing crisis in Syria and the Geneva II negotiations were discussed by the Foreign Affairs Council last week which I attended. Issues raised included the chemical weapons destruction programme; the prospect of a humanitarian resolution at the UN Security Council, which I have consistently called for and which now has full EU support; the renewal of the Geneva II negotiations; and the humanitarian crisis in Syria and across the region. All member states expressed concerns about the appalling impact of this crisis and a shared determination to support the Geneva II process.

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