(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Sunday condemned "in the strongest terms" the systematic persecution of minority populations in Mosul, Iraq, by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated armed groups, his press office said in a statement.
He is "particularly disturbed by reports of threats against Christians in Mosul and other ISIL-controlled parts of Iraq, including an ultimatum to either convert to Islam, pay tax, leave, or face imminent execution," the statement said.
"Equally repugnant are reports that Turkoman, Yazidis and Shabaks are facing abductions, killings or the destruction of their property, and that the homes of Christian, Shia and Shabak residents in Mosul have been marked," it added.
Ban reiterated that any systematic attack on the civilian population or its segments, because of their ethnic background, religious beliefs or faith, "may constitute a crime against humanity, for which those responsible must be held accountable. All armed groups, including ISIL, must abide by international humanitarian law and protect civilians living in areas they control." It recalled that over the course of a few weeks, minority communities that have lived together for thousands of years in Mosul and the Ninewa province have come under direct attack and persecution by ISIL and associated armed groups, and tens of thousands of these minority groups have been displaced or forced to flee and seek refuge, while many others have been executed and kidnapped.
Ban vowed that the UN will continue to intensify its efforts, in cooperation with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, to address the urgent humanitarian needs of those displaced by the current conflict and the terrorist threat facing Iraqi minority groups, the country, and the region.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.