VP/HR — Syrian security official in Italy despite EU sanctions
19.3.2018
Question for written answer E-001661-18
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Marietje Schaake (ALDE) , Pavel Telička (ALDE) , Morten Helveg Petersen (ALDE) , Julie Ward (S&D) , Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE) , Hans-Olaf Henkel (ECR) , Petras Auštrevičius (ALDE) , Monika Beňová (S&D) , Barbara Lochbihler (Verts/ALE) , Hilde Vautmans (ALDE) , Tunne Kelam (PPE) , Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE) , Eva Joly (Verts/ALE) , Nessa Childers (S&D) , Anna Elżbieta Fotyga (ECR) , Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D) , Svetoslav Hristov Malinov (PPE) , Alyn Smith (Verts/ALE) , Bronis Ropė (Verts/ALE) , Monica Macovei (ECR) , Michaela Šojdrová (PPE) , Bodil Valero (Verts/ALE)
Ali Mamlouk, a member of the Assad regime, was reported to have been in Italy last month to discuss security issues with Italian authorities[1]. Mr Mamlouk is a top security official under President Assad and was one of the first to be placed under EU sanctions. These sanctions require Member States to ‘prevent the entry into, or transit through, their territories of the persons responsible for the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria’[2].
Is the VP/HR aware of Mr Mamlouk’s presence in Italy? If so, will she condemn his presence in a Member State in the strongest possible terms, insist that the Italian Government do the same and inquire as to where the application of sanctions failed?
Under the principle of universal jurisdiction, national courts may prosecute individuals for serious crimes in violation of international law, including crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide; does the VP/HR agree that the Italian authorities should have arrested Mr Mamlouk if he was indeed in Italy, to hold him to account for the ongoing atrocities committed by President Assad and his regime against the Syrian population?
Will the VP/HR investigate the circumstances under which Mr Mamlouk was able to arrive in Italy? What actions will she take against Italy for flagrantly violating EU sanctions?