Parliamentary question - E-005608/2015Parliamentary question
E-005608/2015

VP/HR — Prosecution of war crimes in Syria

Question for written answer E-005608-15
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Marietje Schaake (ALDE) , Catherine Bearder (ALDE) , Nathalie Griesbeck (ALDE) , Filiz Hyusmenova (ALDE) , Gérard Deprez (ALDE) , Barbara Lochbihler (Verts/ALE) , Judith Sargentini (Verts/ALE) , Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal (ALDE) , Javier Nart (ALDE) , Fernando Maura Barandiarán (ALDE) , Petr Ježek (ALDE) , Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz (ALDE) , Hilde Vautmans (ALDE) , Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE) , Hugues Bayet (S&D) , Doru-Claudian Frunzulică (S&D) , Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE) , Martina Dlabajová (ALDE) , Pavel Telička (ALDE) , Josef Weidenholzer (S&D) , Petras Auštrevičius (ALDE) , Merja Kyllönen (GUE/NGL) , Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE) , Urmas Paet (ALDE) , Marielle de Sarnez (ALDE) , Frédérique Ries (ALDE) , Vincent Peillon (S&D) , Tunne Kelam (PPE) , Damiano Zoffoli (S&D) , Bodil Ceballos (Verts/ALE) , José Inácio Faria (ALDE) , Fredrick Federley (ALDE) , Ivo Vajgl (ALDE) , Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE) , Johannes Cornelis van Baalen (ALDE) , Milan Zver (PPE) , Iuliu Winkler (PPE) , Tanja Fajon (S&D) , Adam Szejnfeld (PPE) , Miroslav Poche (S&D) , Ernest Urtasun (Verts/ALE) , Marc Tarabella (S&D) , Alyn Smith (Verts/ALE) , Ramon Tremosa i Balcells (ALDE)

On 17 March 2015, UN investigators announced that they would share names and details of persons suspected of war crimes in Syria with national authorities preparing cases. The lists compiled are said to include both Syrian military and security officials and rebel commanders.

The inquiry has called for Syria to be referred to the ICC, but has recommended that if that avenue is blocked an international ad hoc tribunal should be proposed.

The EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq, adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March 2015, states that the EU will work to support the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria.

1. How does the VP/HR assess the decision to provide information on suspected war criminals, and in what ways are she and/or the EEAS in contact with the Commission of Inquiry?

2. How are the VP/HR and/or the EEAS pursuing the investigation and documentation of war crimes in Syria, and does the VP/HR agree that more funds should be made available to support the gathering of evidence and testimonies?

3. How are the VP/HR and/or the EEAS pushing for referral to the ICC, and does the VP/HR agree that, should this avenue remain blocked, an ad hoc tribunal would be a useful mechanism to bring perpetrators to account?