VP/HR — Use of Chemical Weapons against Iraqi Minorities
18.3.2016
Question for written answer E-002310-16
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE)
On 12 March 2016, Iraqi officials reported that ISIL/Daesh fighters had launched two chemical attacks in the Turkmen village of Taza, south of Kirkuk in Iraq. The attacks killed one child, severely injured 600 people and caused the displacement of numerous Iraqi civilians. This severe attack is a major violation of international law and regulations on the use of chemical weapons. Due to the lack of media coverage and international awareness, the human rights situation of the minority communities in Iraq remains overlooked.
In March 2013, Parliament adopted a resolution[1], stressing that the EU should put pressure on the Iraqi Government to guarantee the safety of all Iraqi citizens, particularly minority groups. In February 2016, Parliament adopted another resolution (2016/2529(RSP)) condemning the mass murder of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, including the Turkmen, by ISIL/Daesh.
In the light of these developments:
- 1.Is the VP/HR aware of the 12 March 2016 chemical attacks that took place in Taza village?
- 2.Is the EU planning to take action against this major violation of human rights and international regulations?
- 3.What steps has the EU taken in the wake of the abovementioned resolution and the resolution on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by ISIS[2]?
- [1] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0101.
- [2] Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0051.