merrion street

Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., participated in two ministerial meetings during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. The first meeting was in support of the International Criminal Court, while the second was on the issue of accountability for human rights violations by the Syrian Regime.

At both meetings, Minister Coveney stressed that ensuring accountability will be one of the key principles that underpin Ireland’s engagement on the Security Council during our two-year term, starting on 1 January 2021.

The Informal Ministerial Network for the International Criminal Court (ICC) brings together Ministers who are strongly committed to international criminal justice and the ICC. At today’s meeting, Minister Coveney reiterated Ireland’s long-standing support for the ICC, stating that:

Ireland firmly believes that a strong international criminal justice system is critical to fight impunity. We regard the ICC as the cornerstone of such a system.

Respecting the independence and impartiality of the Court is of paramount importance to Ireland. We are fully committed to supporting and defending the Court from any attempts to interfere with its work.”

Minister Coveney also participated in a meeting on accountability for human rights violations by the Syrian Regime, hosted by the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Stef Blok. The meeting focused on a range of concrete steps aimed at achieving accountability for human rights violations in Syria, to demonstrate the international community’s commitment to the fight against impunity and to bolster support for such efforts. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Coveney stated:

As we approach a decade of conflict, the crisis in Syria represents a stain on our humanity. The crimes committed have been monstrous: arbitrary detention, disappearances, torture. The bombing of schools and hospitals, of innocent civilians. The use of chemical weapons. Indiscriminate violence, often with a disproportionate impact on women and children.
Far too often, instead of taking strong action to prevent these crimes, the Security Council has failed to intervene. Ireland strongly supports all efforts to ensure accountability for the crimes committed in Syria.