On Sinjar Tragedy’s 1st Anniversary, UN Envoy Calls For Coherent Action To Protect Minorities

In the days following, ISIL and associated armed groups committed serious and systematic crimes and abuses against these civilians, ranging from mass killings and rape to the abduction of women and children.  Scores of civilians, including children, also died from starvation, dehydration and exposure as they fled fearing for their lives.

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Ján Kubiš, condemns in the strongest terms ISIL’s continuous and deliberate terrorist strategy to target and exterminate entire communities on the basis of their ethnic background, religious beliefs or faith.  “This is especially harrowing for women, girls and children who are treated with untold brutality.  We demand and support liberation of Yezidi and other women and girls held by ISIL in captivity, often sold and used as sex slaves”, Mr. Kubiš said.  “The crimes committed against civilian populations and on ethnic or religious grounds, some of which may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, will not be forgotten.  Their instigators and perpetrators will sooner or later be brought to justice and punishment”, the SRSG further stated.

Mr. Kubiš also highly acknowledged the efforts and support of the Government of Iraq and of the Kurdistan Regional Government, assisted by the international community, to the affected minorities.  However, Mr. Kubiš underscored, “a more forceful and coherent action on the protection of minorities must take place, including active steps to ensure zero tolerance to impunity for those committing crimes against any and all humanities”.  “I welcome steps by the Iraqi Government to further promote inclusion, national reconciliation, strengthen social cohesion, and I support the creation of any mechanism to further reinforce promotion and protection of minorities and their rights, as well as their inclusion and treatment as equals.  The government at both central and local levels, together with local communities are responsible for creating conditions and ensuring a voluntary, safe, dignified and enduring return of the IDPs, including minorities, to their places of origin and for putting in place efficient protection mechanisms.  This includes integrating this priority in any military strategy”, the SRSG further stated, adding that “without such consideration involuntary demographic changes in the area may occur, endangering the whole social fabric of the country”.

“The international community will continue helping Iraq in these efforts”, SRSG Kubiš affirmed, indicating that “The United Nations is developing a Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism to assist the Government, which will be launched this fall”, and adding that a forthcoming high level International Conference on the Victims of Attacks and Abuses on Ethnic or Religious Ground in the Middle East, to be held in Paris this September, is posed to further mobilize the international attention to and support for minorities.