Security Council Press Statement on Violence in Iraq

 

The following press statement was issued today by Security Council President Mark Lyall Grant ( United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council were appalled by and condemned in the strongest terms the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Iraq, including today’s, in which scores of civilians lost their lives and hundreds more were wounded.  The attacks deliberately targeted locations where civilians congregate, including Christian and Muslim places of worship.  The members of the Security Council expressed their deep condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed their support for the people and the Government of Iraq, and their commitment to Iraq’s security.

The members of the Security Council condemned all incitement to and acts of violence, particularly those motivated by religious hatred, and expressed confidence that the people of Iraq will remain steadfast in their continued rejection of efforts by extremists to spark sectarian tension.

The members of the Security Council additionally condemned the 19 October attack against the convoy of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and other United Nations staff.  While all United Nations staff escaped without injury, one member of the Iraqi security forces was sadly killed and several others injured.  The members of the Security Council also expressed their deep condolences to the families of the victims and their continued support to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

The members of the Security Council strongly expressed their support for the continued efforts of the Iraqi Government to help meet security needs of the entire population of Iraq.  In this regard, the members of the Security Council acknowledged the efforts of the Iraq security forces whose members are also being targeted in ongoing attacks.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with Iraqi authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.  The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that no terrorist act can reverse a path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq, which is supported by the people and the Government of Iraq and the international community.

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For information media • not an official record