(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Members of UN Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned Saturday the "heinous and cowardly" murder of the American journalist Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
"This crime is, yet again, a tragic reminder of the increasing dangers journalists face every day in Syria," the UNSC said in a statement.
It also once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIL, which is responsible for thousands of abuses against the Syrian and Iraqi people, they added.
The members of the Security Council also expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the family of the victim, as well as to the families of all victims of ISIL.
The Security Council stressed again that ISIL must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out.
They also emphasized that such continued "acts of barbarism" perpetrated by ISIL do not intimidate them but rather stiffen their resolve that there has to be a common effort amongst governments and institutions, including those in the region most affected, to counter ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals and groups associated with Al-Qaeda, in compliance with Resolution 2170.
Furthermore, the members of the UNSC recalled that, in accordance with international humanitarian law, journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict are generally considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such.
They also recalled their demand that all parties to an armed conflict comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law, including as related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Moreover, the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals and groups associated with Al-Qaeda.
It also underlined need to bring perpetrators of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.
In addition, they reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the UN, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
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.