Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific proposals or contributions Ireland is making to the Foreign Affairs Council to ensure the safety of the Yazidi people subjected to genocide and slavery in northern Iraq by ISIS. [8692/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I wish to record my absolute and unreserved condemnation of the vile and criminal acts committed against the Yazidis by the terrorist group Da’esh. These crimes continue to this day, against Yazidis held captive by Da’esh. The protection of the Yazidi population and other populations from these crimes is a matter for the United Nations, in particular the Security Council of the United Nations, rather than the European Union.

In September 2015, Ireland addressed UN Human Rights Council on the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry report which stated that the crime of genocide had been committed against the Yazidis, saying “the Commission’s report details unimaginable crimes. The suffering of the victims of Daesh’s terrorism and hatred is laid bare before this Council in the report. This Council and the membership of the United Nations have an inarguable duty to end these crimes and work to achieve justice and accountability for the victims of these crimes.

Ireland has long made clear its full support for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court. Together with over 50 Member States of the United Nations, Ireland co-sponsored a proposed resolution to this effect in 2014. Ireland regards the failure of the proposed resolution as a breach of the Security Council’s obligations under the UN Charter. Ireland repeats its call for the Security Council to uphold international law and act on this report by referring the situation in Syria to the Court. It is intolerable that the terrorist perpetrators of the most heinous crimes would be granted impunity by the action of any member of the United Nations.

Ireland urges that all States engaged in countering Daesh in Syria and Iraq should place the protection of civilian populations, especially minorities at particular risk from Daesh’s murderous ideology of hate, as a priority in their instructions to members of their security forces.”

The responsibility for a legal determination of the crime of genocide is a matter for a legally competent and internationally recognised court. These atrocities took place in both Syria and Iraq and reported crimes in both States need to be investigated and prosecuted. I regard the report of the Commission of Inquiry and its findings of genocide as authoritative and I repeat our long-standing demand that the Security Council fulfil its obligations under international law and act to ensure that the Yazidis can seek accountability for Daesh’s crimes before the International Criminal Court or another legally competent international tribunal.

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.

Funding from the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, has been provided to meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable people inside Iraq, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and those who have been displaced internally, or who have fled to neighbouring countries. Funding is channelled through Irish Aid’s NGO partners and UN organisations, who are best placed to respond, and is used to provide humanitarian supplies and urgently needed access to food, health, water and sanitation services, with a particular focus on the protection of children, women and the most vulnerable.

Ireland provided almost €3 million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq during 2016. €2.5 million was channelled through the UN Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund, which is used to provide life-saving assistance and meet the critical humanitarian needs of the estimated 10 million people affected by violence in Iraq. In Erbil and Dahuk Governorates, in particular, this includes members of the Yazidi community.

In addition the Irish Government dispatched 80 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies under the Rapid Response initiative. The relief items, which included blankets, jerry cans, cooking sets, water tanks, tarpaulins and shelter kits, at a total approximate value of €462,813, were donated to Oxfam for distribution to conflict affected communities.

During 2015, Ireland also provided €1 million to the Iraq Humanitarian Pooled Fund and €250,000 in support of UNICEF’s Iraq Strategic Response Plan, which prioritised the protection of civilians displaced by conflict, as well as €330,000 to Christian Aid Ireland to support activities promoting the protection of displaced women and girls in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq, where the Yazidi population is concentrated.

Ireland continues to closely monitor the situation in Iraq, and given its complexity and severity, it is likely that further support will be provided to affected communities.