Written answers

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Conflicts

5:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 28: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the Syrian crisis and the role of Irish U.N. Soldiers. [30095/12]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government continues to be gravely concerned at the deteriorating situation in Syria, marked by escalating violence and mounting casualties with well over 10,000 people estimated to have been killed since the beginning of the crisis 15 months ago. Following the barbaric murders of hundreds of innocent civilians and small children in Houla and al Qubeir, which I have strongly condemned, fighting and offensive operations have stepped up considerably between the Syrian regime, its affiliated militias and opposition factions across the re country. The continued shelling of towns and villages by the Syrian armed forces using lethal weapons, artillery and combat helicopters is particularly reprehensible. The use of force of this kind against defenceless civilians is despicable and testifies further to the regime's complete disregard for human life and for the safety of its own people.

Those guilty of gross human rights violations such as the atrocities perpetrated in Houla and al Qubeir must be held to account. Ireland, with its EU partners, was very active in securing the adoption by the UN Human Rights Council on 1 June of a resolution which extended the mandate of the UN Commission of Inquiry in Syria to investigate the events at Houla and to report on any responsibility that may warrant criminal prosecution. We have also made clear that we will support any referral of Syria by the UN Security Council to the International Criminal Court.

The escalating violence and a sharp increase in attacks on patrols operated by the UN Supervision Mission in Syria – attacks which have put at risk the Mission's members (including the six serving Irish officers) -- have compelled the Force Commander of this Mission, General Robert Mood, to announce the suspension of its monitoring activities. Such direct targeting of UN personnel, coupled with obstruction and the prevention of access to specific sites and areas, is completely unacceptable and a blatant violation of the provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions 2042 and 2043 which established UNSMIS. I call on the Syrian authorities to respect their clear international obligations as host, to ensure the full safety of the observers and to guarantee their freedom of movement. General Mood has said that the suspension of monitoring activities is being reviewed on a daily basis. The UN Secretary General will submit proposals to the Security Council and troop contributors in early July on the future of the Mission, once its current mandate expires on 20 July.

Despite the significant problems it is encountering, the Annan Plan is so far the only platform available to end the violence and to initiate a long-awaited political transition in Syria. We remain fully committed to this Plan. All sides must honour their commitments under it and immediately halt all forms of violence. It is particularly incumbent on the Syrian regime to ensure the complete withdrawal of heavy weaponry and troops from population centres and the release of all political detainees and to ensure free access and movement throughout the country to all, including the media, humanitarian organisations and the UN.

Equally, the international community needs to consider what further steps should be taken if the Annan plan remains unimplemented and the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Imposing further sanctions is an option which the Security Council will have to consider. Closer engagement with Russia is also extremely important. Greater cohesion and unity among the Syrian opposition will also be critical if there is to be any chance of initiating a successful political transition to a new, post-Assad Syria. In this regard, the next meeting of the Friends of Syria in Paris on the 6th July, which I would hope to attend, will provide an opportunity to consider how to further increase the pressure on the Syrian regime. That meeting will also be used to urge the opposition parties both within and outside Syria to intensify their cooperation and to agree a common platform.

Ultimately, and despite the current disheartening situation, the complete cessation of violence and implementation of the Annan Plan still offers the best opportunity to end the conflict and to launch a process of urgently needed political reform and transition in Syria. Ireland will work steadfastly with its EU partners towards that goal.

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