VP/HR — Recent attacks against Iraqi Turkmen
30.11.2015
Question for written answer E-015250-15
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE)
The presence of ISIL/Da’esh in northern Iraq has intensified a decades-long siege of Turkmen lands and exacerbated attacks on their communities. Since the Iraqi Turkmen reside in disputed areas, neither Baghdad, nor the KRG have taken sufficient measures to protect their rights and safety. On 12 November 2015, Kurdish militia perpetrated sporadic attacks on the Turkmen town of Tuzkhurmatu, entering with armoured vehicles and eventually occupying part of it. Due to disproportionate media attention, international awareness of the realities in northern Iraq are largely distorted and violations committed against minority communities, specifically the Iraqi Turkmen, are being ignored.
In March 2013, Parliament adopted a resolution[1], stressing that the EU should put pressure on the Iraqi Government to guarantee the safety and security of all Iraqi people and particularly that of minority groups, including the Turkmen. However, little action has been taken so far.
In the light of these developments:
- 1.Is the VP/HR aware of the 12 November 2015 events in Tuzkhurmatu?
- 2.How can the EU ensure that funds allocated to the KRG to combat ISIL/Da’esh will not end up being used to oppress other groups?
- 3.What steps has the EU taken following the adoption of the abovementioned resolution?
- [1] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0101.