Security Council extends mandate of UNAMI for one year

In Resolution 2299 (2016), the Security Council called on all political entities to intensify efforts to overcome divisions and work together in an inclusive and timely political process while stressing the importance of the United Nations, in particular UNAMI, in supporting and assisting the Iraqi people and the Government of Iraq to advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation. It reiterates the importance of reaching a single vision on reconciliation. It further called for the strengthening of national unity and dialogue by closer cooperation between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The Resolution also underscored “the need for all segments of the Iraqi population to participate in the political process, in inclusive political dialogue, including through the full and equal participation of women, and in the economic and social life of Iraq.” It also highlighted the need for the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda in Iraq, and the swift deployment of dedicated expertise such as Women Protection Advisors to accelerate the coordinated implementation of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on sexual violence in conflict situations.

The Security Council also encouraged the Government of Iraq “to continue strengthening governance, pursuing more substantive reforms, particularly economic and institutional reforms to improve the standard of living for all Iraqis, including by countering corruption.”

While welcoming the Government’s successes in liberation from ISIL (Da’esh) of different locations including Sinjar, Bayji, Ramadi, Hit, and most recently Fallujah, which marked a major step in the continuing international efforts to defeat ISIL (Da’esh), the Security Council reaffirmed that “all parties, including armed groups and militias, must respect human rights and abide by all applicable obligations under international humanitarian law.” In this respect, the Resolution welcomed the formation of the committee by the Prime Minister tasked to look into possible excesses. It emphasized the need for the Government of Iraq to conduct impartial and effective investigations and hold to account those found responsible for violations or abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law. It similarly called for accountability with respect to reports of the systematic use of sexual violence and sexual enslavement, as well as the systematic targeting of women and children, especially those from minority communities, by ISIL.

In the meantime, the Security Council strongly emphasised “the urgency of addressing humanitarian challenges confronting the Iraqi people, stressing the need to intensify efforts to plan and implement a coordinated response and to provide adequate resources to address these challenges.”

The Resolution also called for the protection of affected civilians and internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly children, women and minorities; while stressing the right of freedom of movement for the displaced population.

The Council also called on the Government of Iraq, with the assistance of the international community, to accelerate its stabilization efforts in order to speed up the return of the displaced populations to their homes.

The destruction of Iraq’s cultural heritage by extremist groups and the sale of stolen artefacts by these groups for income generation was also condemned.

Commenting on the resolution, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Ján Kubiš said: “We not only renew our commitment to Iraq and its people in fighting terrorism, particularly ISIL (Da’esh), by all means available, but also reiterate our determination to work with them towards achieving national reconciliation.”

“The Iraqis deserve a prosperous future and we continue to stand by them,” he added.