On Sinjar, Iraq Seizure Anniversary, Secretary-General Expresses Profound Sympathy to Survivors, Victims’ Families

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

On the occasion of the second anniversary of the seizure of Sinjar by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Secretary-General expresses his profound sympathy to the families of the victims and the survivors.  The Secretary-General reiterates his strong condemnation of the heinous crimes that continue to be committed by ISIL against the diverse ethnic and religious communities of Iraq.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the safety of the people who remain in ISIL’s captivity, in particular the thousands of Yezidi women and children.  He calls upon all those engaged in the fight against ISIL to make their release a prime objective in their military operations.

The Secretary-General stresses that the crimes committed by ISIL in Iraq may constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity and even genocide.  He calls on the Government of Iraq and the international community to continue to support the survivors.  The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Iraq to continue identifying ways to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice without delay, based on fair trial and due process.  This could include the option of a referral to the International Criminal Court.