Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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143. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) concerning gross human rights violations in the Syrian Government's Saydnaya prison; his views on the call for an urgent and independent investigation into crimes committed at the prison; the action he has taken on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have taken note of the “Human Slaughterhouse” report issued by Amnesty International on the mass murder of detainees by the Assad regime. The details of this report set out the unspeakable and systematic murder of Syrian civilians by the Assad regime. This report corroborates the February 2016 report by the UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry which found that the Assad regime has committed war crimes and the “crimes against humanity of extermination, murder, rape or other forms of sexual violence, torture, imprisonment, enforced disappearance and other inhuman acts.” In this context, I reiterate Ireland’s long-standing support for legal accountability for war crimes in Syria. Ireland has consistently pressed for action by the international community to ensure that those committing these crimes do not enjoy impunity for their acts.

I welcome the December 2016 decision of the UN General Assembly to establish an independent, impartial independent accountability mechanism for Syria. Ireland was one of the large majority of States voting in favour of its establishment. Our Mission to the United Nations have reported on the steps taken to implement the decision and we will consider all options Ireland can take to give practical support to United Nations in ensuring its effectiveness.