Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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244. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the killing and persecution of Christians in Mosul, Iraq generally and throughout the Middle East, by Islamic State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33323/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The protection of Christian and other religious minorities in Mosul, Iraq and across the Middle East from terrorism and religious extremism is a core objective for Ireland’s human rights policies.

Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred.

In cooperation with our EU partners, we consistently press for effective action to counter the persecution of minorities in all relevant international fora, including at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council.

I have repeatedly condemned the horrific crimes by Daesh against religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq. Daesh has boasted of its use of murder, torture, mass sexual violence and forced religious conversion in areas under its control and has committed grave crimes against members of all religious denominations in Syria and Iraq.

Removing the threat to Christian communities and other religious minorities requires effective action at EU and UN levels to prevent and counter international terrorism, especially the actions of Daesh, in line with international law and human rights.

International terrorism has featured high on the EU agenda in the past 18 months. In discussing international terrorism, the Council has given particular priority to countering the actions of Daesh. Comprehensive conclusions on a ‘Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Daesh threat’ were adopted by the Council in May 2016. As has been underlined previously by the Council, there will be no resolution of the conflict in Syria in the absence a political solution.

The EU’s approach is guided by and consistent with the approach taken by the UN to countering Daesh. Last January, the UN Secretary General issued a report on the threat posed by Daesh, and the measures being taken against them, such as countering their financing, preventing and disrupting the travel of foreign terrorist fighters, countering recruitment and preventing violent extremism.