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Parliamentary question - E-006164/2014Parliamentary question
E-006164/2014

VP/HR — Christians in Iraq compelled to flee

Question for written answer E-006164-14
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Esther de Lange (PPE) , Annie Schreijer-Pierik (PPE)

In the past week, combatants belonging to the Islamic State in Iraq (ISIS) have addressed an ultimatum to the Christian community in the city of Mosul in Iraq. Christians were given the choice between converting to Islam and paying a heavy tax: otherwise they would be killed. Their houses were marked with the Arabic letter ‘n’, which stands for ‘Christian’, and with the words ‘property of the Islamic State’. As a result, Christians have been compelled to abandon their property and flee.

Does the High Representative agree with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that ISIS is committing crimes against humanity?

What action does the High Representative propose in order to protect Christians and other religious minorities in the ISIS-controlled territory?

ISIS is a terrorist group, according to the UN, and trade with ISIS is therefore prohibited. How is the EU ensuring that nobody trades with ISIS (particularly in oil and gas) and that accounts are blocked?

Will the High Representative contact the Organisation of Islamic States and the Arab League in order to jointly condemn this crime against humanity, in the same way as a joint declaration was issued after the film ‘Innocence of Muslims’?