Secretary-General Welcomes Release of Turkish Nationals Held Hostage in Iraq

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the release on Friday, 19 September of the Turkish men, women and children who had been held captive by the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) since 11 June following the seizure by the terrorist group of the Turkish Consulate in Mosul.  He is relieved that, at the end of a three-month ordeal, they are now home safe and sound.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the immediate release of all hostages in the region and reminds parties that kidnapping is a gross violation of human rights and humanitarian law.

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For information media • not an official record