Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Iraq

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Koro Bessho (Japan):

The members of the Security Council strongly deplored the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack perpetrated in the city of Baghdad, Iraq, on 2 July 2016, which resulted in at least 200 people killed and many injured, for which ISIL [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/Da’esh] has claimed responsibility.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, to the people and Government of Iraq, and they wished speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists, in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015).

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.  They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.  They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.