UN: Civilians at risk of “collective punishment” in ISIS liberated areas of Iraq
By Rudaw 14 hours ago
Iraqi women and children carry bags while evacuating from the Old City of Mosul on June 30, 2017, as Iraqi security forces continue their offensive to drive out ISIS from last remaining 600 square meters in Old Mosul. Photo: AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United Nation’s human rights commission is concerned that civilians and families with alleged connections to former ISIS members could be subjected to forced evictions from their homes which would be a violation of international law.
“Such actions may amount to collective punishment that is a clear contravention of the Iraqi Constitution as well as human rights and humanitarian law,” the UN human rights commission said in a statement on Friday.
“As Mosul is increasingly liberated from ISIL, we are seeing an alarming rise in threats, specifically of forced evictions, against those suspected of being ISIL members or whose relatives are alleged to be involved with ISIL – threats that have also been made in other areas,” stated Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at a press briefing in Geneva.
The OHCHR has received several reports of “night letters” left at family’s homes believed to be affiliated with ISIS as well as being distributed in neighborhoods such as Al Heet City in Al Anbar and Qayyarah in Nineveh, Sharqat in Salahadin Governorate and around the city of Mosul.
These letters threaten people that they must leave their homes by a specific date or face forced expulsion. Many of these warnings are the result of tribal agreements which demand families of alleged ISIS affiliated members to leave their area.
Hussein Zyab, from Qayyarah, who has lost seven of his close relatives to ISIS militants in Qayyarah told Rudaw late last month that he is leading a group of locals going door to door to homes they accuse of being ISIS members or their collaborators. Their demand is to leave the town or face state or tribal laws.
“No woman, child or elderly will be hurt. None of them would be hurt, and their properties will not be confiscated,” Zyab said, “No one’s house will be burnt, or destroyed. We just ask them to sign [a paper] to leave here at the earliest time. If they refuse to do so, we have the laws of the land, and the tribal laws. We first file a complaint against them.”
Khalid al-Jabouri, a town official told Rudaw in Qayyarah that he stands by the calls to out these ISIS families.
“Their demands are in fact legitimate, Some have lost their son because of ISIS, some two and some an entire family. That is why it is their right to ask to oust these [ISIS] families. As the City Council of Qayyarah we ask the Nineveh governor and the parliament to take a final decision in this regard.”
Colville, from the the UN Rights Office, said that people have a lot to lose as the result of the forced evictions.
“People are at real risk of forced eviction from their homes and losing access to basic necessities, including adequate housing, food, access to health services and education,” Colville stated.
He urged the Iraqi government to halt such evictions or any other type of collective punishment.
“Illegal forced evictions are acts of vengeance that are detrimental to national reconciliation and social cohesion,” he added.
“We are extremely concerned at the situation of civilians in Mosul,” Colville said, reminding all parties involved of their obligation to distinguish between combatants and civilians in an armed conflict.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
By Rudaw 14 hours ago
Iraqi women and children carry bags while evacuating from the Old City of Mosul on June 30, 2017, as Iraqi security forces continue their offensive to drive out ISIS from last remaining 600 square meters in Old Mosul. Photo: AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United Nation’s human rights commission is concerned that civilians and families with alleged connections to former ISIS members could be subjected to forced evictions from their homes which would be a violation of international law.
“Such actions may amount to collective punishment that is a clear contravention of the Iraqi Constitution as well as human rights and humanitarian law,” the UN human rights commission said in a statement on Friday.
“As Mosul is increasingly liberated from ISIL, we are seeing an alarming rise in threats, specifically of forced evictions, against those suspected of being ISIL members or whose relatives are alleged to be involved with ISIL – threats that have also been made in other areas,” stated Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at a press briefing in Geneva.
The OHCHR has received several reports of “night letters” left at family’s homes believed to be affiliated with ISIS as well as being distributed in neighborhoods such as Al Heet City in Al Anbar and Qayyarah in Nineveh, Sharqat in Salahadin Governorate and around the city of Mosul.
These letters threaten people that they must leave their homes by a specific date or face forced expulsion. Many of these warnings are the result of tribal agreements which demand families of alleged ISIS affiliated members to leave their area.
Hussein Zyab, from Qayyarah, who has lost seven of his close relatives to ISIS militants in Qayyarah told Rudaw late last month that he is leading a group of locals going door to door to homes they accuse of being ISIS members or their collaborators. Their demand is to leave the town or face state or tribal laws.
“No woman, child or elderly will be hurt. None of them would be hurt, and their properties will not be confiscated,” Zyab said, “No one’s house will be burnt, or destroyed. We just ask them to sign [a paper] to leave here at the earliest time. If they refuse to do so, we have the laws of the land, and the tribal laws. We first file a complaint against them.”
Khalid al-Jabouri, a town official told Rudaw in Qayyarah that he stands by the calls to out these ISIS families.
“Their demands are in fact legitimate, Some have lost their son because of ISIS, some two and some an entire family. That is why it is their right to ask to oust these [ISIS] families. As the City Council of Qayyarah we ask the Nineveh governor and the parliament to take a final decision in this regard.”
Colville, from the the UN Rights Office, said that people have a lot to lose as the result of the forced evictions.
“People are at real risk of forced eviction from their homes and losing access to basic necessities, including adequate housing, food, access to health services and education,” Colville stated.
He urged the Iraqi government to halt such evictions or any other type of collective punishment.
“Illegal forced evictions are acts of vengeance that are detrimental to national reconciliation and social cohesion,” he added.
“We are extremely concerned at the situation of civilians in Mosul,” Colville said, reminding all parties involved of their obligation to distinguish between combatants and civilians in an armed conflict.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Yesterday at 3:32 pm by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil sponsors the signing of an agreement to develop the Tuba oil field project with
Yesterday at 3:26 pm by Rocky
» In numbers... Basra Oil explains the importance of the Tuba field after signing a contract to develo
Yesterday at 3:25 pm by Rocky
» Electricity: The government provides energy at subsidized prices for (4) categories
Yesterday at 3:24 pm by Rocky
» The electricity produced in Iraq covers 65% of demand... and 15 thousand megawatts is a “deficit”
Yesterday at 3:22 pm by Rocky
» Parliamentary services: Government interest in Baghdad will make it one of the most beautiful capita
Yesterday at 3:21 pm by Rocky
» Basra Council emphasizes work to qualify young people and place them in the labor market
Yesterday at 3:19 pm by Rocky
» Politician: Al-Kadhimi was recommending that Plasschaert write “negative” reports about Iraq
Yesterday at 3:17 pm by Rocky
» Trade launches operations to lift the ban on the ration card next to Rusafa
Yesterday at 3:16 pm by Rocky
» utube 5/12/24 Iraqi Dinar | Citi Bank Announced New Rate Of The Iraqi Dinar | Dinar News Today 202
Yesterday at 7:00 am by Rocky
» utube 5/9/24 MM&C 0:02 / 46:46 PM - Al-Sudani - Golden Opportunity - Private Sector - Contra
Yesterday at 6:57 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 5/11/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - International - IraqTiming - 2024 Budget Schedule - Sp
Yesterday at 6:55 am by Rocky
» Bahr Al-Ulum calls for legislating the renewable energy law and localizing the solar panel industry
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» In numbers: the rise in internal debt in Iraq
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Jordan demands that Iraq continue to export oil for another three months
Yesterday at 6:46 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the largest producer.. OPEC+ is pumping higher than scheduled and in anticipation of the Jun
Yesterday at 6:44 am by Rocky
» Close to the coordination framework: There is no intention to change the internal regulations of Par
Yesterday at 6:43 am by Rocky
» Central Bank sales exceed $274 million today
Yesterday at 6:41 am by Rocky
» But the representative of the exchange companies is pessimistic... Why did the dollar fall?... The C
Yesterday at 6:38 am by Rocky
» Jordan addresses Iraq to extend a memorandum of understanding to purchase oil
Yesterday at 6:36 am by Rocky
» Bribes increased from 3,000 to 50,000 dollars.. What is the condition of alcohol in Iraq after the p
Yesterday at 6:34 am by Rocky
» Presence movement: Sunnis and Kurds while the Americans remain in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» A deputy reveals the contents of the first water strategy in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Soon...the second reading of the proposed red card law
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» The discovery of 10 new oil and gas fields in the Anbar desert
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» A bloc announces to “Al-Ma’louma” the date of the parliamentary speaker’s election session
Yesterday at 5:26 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance explains the mechanism for amending the retirement law
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» Sovereignty accuses Al-Halbousi of obstructing the election of a Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Agriculture accuses Kurdistan of harming the farmers of the center and south
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani confirms Iraq's readiness to host the Arab Network conference
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Nechirvan Barzani calls on the Iraqi government to allocate a budget to confront climate change
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» “Iraq is in danger.” Political warnings against ending the work of the UN mission
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi Interior Minister announces the signing of a security cooperation memorandum with Syria
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Oil told “Al-Iqtisad News”: The 5th and 6th rounds will add 3 Mqmq of gas to Iraq’s
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Economist: Tax revenues from the private sector should be 4 trillion dinars annually
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» The Real Estate Bank calls on the Iraqi Central Bank to determine a plan to allocate a new initiativ
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» More than one billion and 400 million dollars...CBI sales within a week
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Oil: Iraq achieved self-sufficiency in liquid gas and began exporting the surplus
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Iraq begins exporting liquid gas
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» The Cabinet Secretariat sets to Al-Iqtisad News the completion date for the Chinese agreement school
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Securities: The most recent law of the Authority in the Arab and regional countries
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» A European desire to strengthen security and economic cooperation with Baghdad
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» The close selection of a person for the position of Speaker of Parliament
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary law excludes the exchange of penalties for cash amounts
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» An agreement with Italy to finance industrial projects
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» The Najaf Chamber of Commerce signs a “memorandum of understanding” with its Thai counterpart
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Baghdad, Arab Forum
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Specialists: Economic integration and job opportunities await development
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic, Nechirvan and Barzani stress the necessity of coordinating efforts be
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» The Judicial Institute announces the names of those accepted for the 48th and 49th sessions
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Today's newspapers are interested in launching the fifth licensing supplement rounds and the sixth l
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives the Secretary-General of the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Trade participates in the meetings of the Economic and Social Council at the level of senior officia
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Transport discusses with the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration wa
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq recorded an increase in its oil exports to the United States last week
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» It is governed by three dimensions.. Parliament talks about a strategic priority for Iraqi national
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» To what extent do Arab countries influence politically Iraq? It has become more independent
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: Iraq has paid its debts, and the security agreement includes thre
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Dollar exchange rates decline slightly on the Baghdad Stock Exchange
Yesterday at 4:44 am by Rocky
» China has 18% of the fields in the two new rounds, and 11 countries share the remainder
Yesterday at 4:43 am by Rocky
» On the table...a proposal for the Kurdistan oil crisis and an effort to conclude a similar agreement
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: A government decision to provide sovereign guarantees and guarantees to encourage the inve
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» 6 Chinese companies are among the winners of developing Iraqi oil and gas fields
Yesterday at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Baghdad gives UNAMI the end of 2025 to leave the country after fiery briefings
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Dhi Qar clarifies: The quarry burying radioactive materials is regular and does not pose a danger
Yesterday at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: There are 64 lagging projects in Babylon
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» The housing crisis is expanding and planning confirms: Iraq needs 3 million housing units to solve i
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» 90 billion dinars were recovered from social protection violators
Yesterday at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Iraq seeks to increase its oil reserves to more than 160 billion barrels
Yesterday at 4:31 am by Rocky
» After keeping the numbers secret... Did the rain increase Iraq's water reserves by 120%?
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» In the first quarter of 2024.. Iran will displace Iraq and become the second largest producer in OPE
Yesterday at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Iraqi oil exports to Jordan stopped 20 days ago
Yesterday at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Iraq and Syria sign a memorandum of security cooperation in several fields
Yesterday at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Parliament recommends stopping electronic schools in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary law rules out passing a law replacing penalties with sums of money
Yesterday at 4:22 am by Rocky
» After a rare meeting... sources talk about Al-Sadr's future in political life in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:21 am by Rocky
» The President of the Republic warns of climate change and its threat to food security and future gen
Yesterday at 4:20 am by Rocky
» The Iranian ambassador to Iraq talks about negotiations for the withdrawal of American forces and Tu
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq represents an important factor in the stability of the global oil market
Yesterday at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Transportation: The Iraqi-Turkish technical committees continue to fulfill the requirements for impl
Yesterday at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Economic: Raising the interest rate will reduce real estate prices
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:20 am by Rocky
» Did Barzani agree in Tehran to end the presence of Iranian groups in Kurdistan? - urgent
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:16 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We are establishing a new situation for the global energy market through the Development
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:14 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: The government program devoted a wide scope to the government’s vision for oil and gas in
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:11 am by Rocky
» Al-Awadi: Ending the work of the UNAMI mission is consistent with the government’s vision in this fi
Sat 11 May 2024, 7:10 am by Rocky
» MM&C Floating the dinar" returns to the forefront.. Will the Central Bank of Iraq resort to it and w
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:24 am by Rocky
» The Secretary of the Ministry of Defense meets with the Commander of the NATO mission
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:17 am by Rocky
» Expert: The stability of the economy is linked to the political situation
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:13 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary request to lift the injustice against 20,000 Iraqi employees
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:09 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance criticizes the government's failure to send the budget schedules
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:08 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: The 5th and 6th licensing rounds will take place within the framework of exploratio
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the global market in the field of energy
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Khanjar rejects Al-Halbousi’s request to head Parliament
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:05 am by Rocky
» Revealing the date of the arrival of the 2024 budget schedules
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Halbousi nominates Talal Al-Zubaie for presidency of the House of Representatives
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:03 am by Rocky
» "A coup in Iraqi universities"... Replacement of presidents and deans under the new education law
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a difficult number in the equation of energy and oil wealth in the region and the
Sat 11 May 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Minister of Oil: We hope to announce an increase in Iraq’s oil reserves to 160 billion barrels
Sat 11 May 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» Iraq's mass graves...stories that did not end with the burial of their owners, and the "legacy of IS
Sat 11 May 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky