Mr. Karim A.A. Khan QC, Special Adviser and Head of UNITAD meets with His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani
23 January 2019
On 23 January 2019, Mr. Karim A.A. Khan QC, Special Adviser and Head of the Investigative Team to promote accountability for crimes committed by Da’esh / ISIL (UNITAD) was received today in Najaf by His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani. Mr. Khan briefed him on the mandate and initial activities of UNITAD. They were united in the need for Da’esh to be held accountable for their crimes and the important role that UNITAD has to play in this regard.
The Special Adviser emphasized that people from all parts of Iraq, from all communities and ethnic groups, suffered from myriad criminal acts by Da’esh. The Special Adviser highlighted that women, including those victims of sexual and gender based violence, should be encouraged to come forward and give their accounts to UNITAD. This view was also supported by His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani. In this regard, the Special Adviser underlined that the identity and privacy of witnesses would be fully protected by the Investigative Team in accordance with international standards.
The Special adviser also drew attention to the plight of children born from rapes and that communities should be encouraged to welcome and support both mother and child who are, in different ways, victims of terrible crimes by Da’esh. Mr. Khan finally intimated that he intends to visit all religious leaders in Iraq to convey the same message in order to foster solidarity, compassion and cohesion amongst the various parts of Iraq and to create an environment conducive to the work of the Investigative Team and the imperative of accountability that meets international standards for Da’esh crimes.
Photo: Courtesy of the Office of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani
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