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Threats against humanity posed by the terrorist group known as “IS”: violence against Christians and other religious or ethnic communities

Doc. 13618: compendium of written amendments | Doc. 13618 | Final version

Contents

A Draft Resolution
B Draft Recommendation

Compendium index

Amendment 4 Amendment 1 Amendment 5 Amendment 3 Amendment 2

Caption: AdoptedRejectedWithdrawnNo electronic votes

ADraft Resolution

1The Parliamentary Assembly is deeply shocked by the threats posed by the terrorist group known as “IS” (“Da'ish” in Arabic), which has been wreaking death and destruction throughout northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

01 October 2014

Tabled by Mr Ömer SELVİ, Mr Şaban DİŞLİ, Mr Ahmet Kutalmiş TÜRKEŞ, Ms Tülin ERKAL KARA, Mr Reha DENEMEÇ, Mr Mehmet Kasım GÜLPINAR, Mr Robert WALTER, Ms Ingebjørg GODSKESEN

Votes: 14 in favor 85 against 4 abstentions

Replace the initials "IS" with the acronym "ISIL" throughout the text.

Explanatory note

In the UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorists acts, which was adopted unanimously on 24 September 2014, the terrorist organization in question is referred to as ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and Levant). We should stick to the agreed language in UN.

01 October 2014

Tabled by Ms Dora BAKOYANNIS, Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Mr José María BENEYTO, Mr Tiny KOX, Lord John E. TOMLINSON

In the draft resolution, paragraph 1, replace the words "throughout northern Iraq and eastern Syria" with the following words: "throughout Iraq and Syria".

2It draws attention once again to the situation of Christian and other religious and ethnic communities in the Middle East in general and in Iraq and Syria in particular. Recent developments in the region, in particular the attitude of the “IS”, have made the situation of such communities evolve from alarming to desperate. In some places now under the control of the “IS”, those communities have already disappeared.
3In this context, the Assembly recalls its Recommendations 1957 (2011) on violence against Christians in the Middle East and 1962 (2011) on the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue, as well as its Resolutions 1878 (2012) on the situation in Syria; 1902 (2012) on the European response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria; 1928 (2013) on safeguarding human rights in relation to religion and belief, and protecting religious communities from violence and 1940 (2013) on the situation in the Middle East.
4The Assembly reiterates its strong condemnation of all acts of violence. It firmly believes that the first priority should be to stop the ongoing massacres and that member States of the Council of Europe should do their utmost to contribute to bringing peace to the region.
5All States in the Middle East and in the wider international community must condemn, together and firmly, the violent actions, as well as the religious and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the “IS” and join forces to face the current crisis and prevent similar ones in the future. They should investigate all human rights violations and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, without impunity.
6The Assembly is well aware that the “IS” and other similar terrorist groups active in the Middle East do not act in the name of Islam nor do they represent a majority of Muslims. Indeed, a substantial number of victims are Muslims. Therefore, it welcomes the mobilisation of the Muslim community against the actions of “IS”, notably in the “Not In My Name” campaign.
7The Assembly expresses deep concern that around 3 000 young Europeans are fighting for “IS” in Iraq and Syria and urges the member States of the Council of Europe to increase efforts to identify them, as well as to identify and dismantle recruitment channels, to prosecute those responsible and to exchange information and co-ordinate their response to returning jihadists. In addition, “IS” sources of funds should be identified and, whenever possible, neutralised and sanctioned.
8The Assembly welcomes wholeheartedly the United Nations Security Council's unanimous adoption, on 24 September 2014, of Resolution 2178 (2014) on “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts”, which calls on member States to prevent their citizens from joining “IS” in Iraq and Syria, including by adapting their legislation.
9The Assembly recognises that current humanitarian missions are woefully insufficient given the unprecedented humanitarian crisis we are now facing. Therefore, it calls on the Council of Europe member States, on observer States, and on States whose parliaments enjoy partnership for democracy status with the Assembly to increase humanitarian aid supplies to existing refugee camps across Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, and expand aid programmes further.

01 October 2014

Tabled by Mr Ömer SELVİ, Mr Şaban DİŞLİ, Mr Ahmet Kutalmiş TÜRKEŞ, Ms Tülin ERKAL KARA, Mr Reha DENEMEÇ, Mr Mehmet Kasım GÜLPINAR, Mr Robert WALTER, Ms Ingebjørg GODSKESEN

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 9, insert the following paragraph:

"As a neighbour to Syria and Iraq, Turkey opened its borders to thousands of displaced persons from Iraq and Syria fleeing the violence including vulnerable minorities such as the Yezidis. The number of Iraqi and Syrians has reached almost 1.5 million in Turkey, of which almost 250,000 have crossed the border in the past two weeks. In addition, Turkey has set up camps for more than 35,000 IDP's in Northern Iraq."

Explanatory note

It is important to include the facts reflecting the humanitarian situation on the ground. That's why we propose this amendment.

10Inclusivity must be promoted at all levels, both in Iraq and in Syria. The Iraqi Government and the Iraqi security forces have a responsibility to ensure reported incidents of excessive force and discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities under the former government are not repeated.
11The Assembly calls on member States of the Council of Europe and the international community in general to support the Government of Iraq in its attempts to provide a credible alternative away from the pull of “IS”.
12The Assembly further recommends that the governments of its member States use their bilateral relations with States affected by “IS” to encourage them to maintain the development of human rights and civil liberties.

01 October 2014

Tabled by Mr Ömer SELVİ, Mr Şaban DİŞLİ, Mr Ahmet Kutalmiş TÜRKEŞ, Ms Tülin ERKAL KARA, Mr Reha DENEMEÇ, Mr Mehmet Kasım GÜLPINAR, Mr Robert WALTER, Ms Ingebjørg GODSKESEN

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 12, insert the following paragraph:

"The Assembly calls on the governments of all member States to facilitate the launch of an inclusive and Syrian-led process that will lead to a genuine political transition on the basis of the Geneva Communiqué that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for a free and democratic Syria, where every person will be treated equally regardless of their religion, belief or ethnicity."

Explanatory note

In order to succeed in combatting terrorists and extremist groups, we should start with concentrating our efforts on the establishment of security and stability in Syria. The first step in this regard should definitely be facilitating the launch of an inclusive and Syrian-led process.

13The Assembly urges the international community to:
13.1encourage the upholding of fair and equitable status for all citizens irrespective of their religious or ethnic origin. Everyone should be equal before the law, with no religious law beyond appeal to civil courts;
13.2strongly encourage the region's media sources to engage in and uphold standards of “good practice” and therefore refrain from inciting religious or ethnic hatred, while respecting the freedom and independence of the media;
13.3ensure that the appropriate conditions are met for the safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons;
13.4encourage and assist whenever possible Christian communities and other religious and ethnic communities, in particular the Yezidis and the Kurds, to actively participate in ongoing discussions on the future of both Iraq and Syria;
13.5come forward with a globally organised and well-funded programme of reconstruction for the affected areas, supervised by the United Nations;
13.6support the peoples in Irak and Syria and stand up for their fundamental rights. In this framework, all actions of the international community should be in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.
14The Assembly further encourages the countries in the Middle East to:
14.1recognise that democracy alone is not enough and ensure that respect for human rights and pluralism, which are components of their own civilisation, is constitutionally guaranteed;
14.2condemn unequivocally not only deadly attacks on innocent people, in particular children and women, but also the use of violence in general, as well as all forms of discrimination and intolerance based on religion and beliefs;
14.3collaborate in bringing to justice, without impunity, those responsible for human rights violations;
14.4strengthen regional co-operation among all countries in the Middle East, with a view to creating diversity in understanding and empowering minorities.
15The Assembly resolves to continue to follow closely, as a priority, the situation in the region, as well as the tragic humanitarian consequences of the current crisis and the issue of foreign terrorist fighters.

BDraft Recommendation

1The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its Resolution ... (2014) “Threats against humanity posed by the terrorist group known as ‘IS’: violence against Christians and other religious or ethnic communities”, whereby it expresses its deep concern about the threats posed by this terrorist group and draws attention once again to the situation of Christian and other religious and ethnic communities in the Middle East, in general, and in Iraq and Syria in particular.
2The Assembly therefore asks the Committee of Ministers to:
2.1develop the political aspect of its annual “Exchanges on the Religious Dimension of Intercultural Dialogue” and consider discussing the different religious perspectives of human dignity;
2.2envisage possible ways to monitor the situation of governmental and societal restrictions on religious freedom and related rights in Council of Europe member States and in States in the Council of Europe's neighbourhood, and report periodically to the Assembly;
2.3bring to the attention of the governments of the member States the specific recommendations included in Resolution ... (2014), in particular as regards the need to increase humanitarian aid supplies to existing refugee camps across Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, and expand aid programmes further.

01 October 2014

Tabled by Mr Ömer SELVİ, Mr Şaban DİŞLİ, Mr Ahmet Kutalmiş TÜRKEŞ, Ms Tülin ERKAL KARA, Mr Reha DENEMEÇ, Mr Mehmet Kasım GÜLPINAR, Mr Robert WALTER, Ms Ingebjørg GODSKESEN

Votes: 101 in favor 4 against 4 abstentions

In the draft recommendation, paragraph 2.3, delete the word "refugee".