Pillay condemns series of “cold-blooded” executions in Iraq

GENEVA (16 June 2014) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Monday condemned the reported cold-blooded executions of hundreds of Iraqi hors de combat soldiers, as well as civilians including religious leaders and people associated with the Government, in recent days by forces allied with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

“Based on corroborated reports from a number of sources, it appears that hundreds of non-combatant men were summarily executed over the past five days, including surrendered or captured soldiers, military conscripts, police and others associated with the Government,” Pillay said. “Although the numbers cannot be verified yet, this apparently systematic series of cold-blooded executions, mostly conducted in various locations in the Tikrit area, almost certainly amounts to war crimes.”

According to information received by the UN human rights staff on the ground, in the past few days, forces affiliated with ISIL also executed the Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mosul on 12 June for refusing to pledge allegiance to ISIL. Reports of additional executions of religious leaders have also been received, including on Saturday, 14 June, when 12 local Imams were allegedly executed in front of Al Israa mosque, also in Mosul, for the same reason.

“The provocative language used by ISIL, which has been talking about ‘liquidating herds of sheep’ and inciting sectarian tensions is clearly intended to sow further chaos and bloodshed in the country,” Pillay added. “The people of Iraq have shown remarkable resilience in the face of constant suffering over the past decade. This new wave of fighting and extreme violence is very dangerous, not just to Iraq but to the entire region. I urge all the country’s political and religious leaders to unite in their opposition to these efforts to rip the country apart along sectarian or geographic lines.”

ENDS

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