Ban expresses 'grave concern' at deepening crisis in Iraq

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Sunday expressed "grave concern" at "deepening crisis" in Iraq and rising number of civilian deaths and injuries, with over one million Iraqis having fled their homes recently due to fighting.
Ban "calls on all parties to the conflict ensure that persecution of civilians based on their religion or ethnic background cease immediately. All parties to the conflict, whether armed groups, ISIL, local militias or Iraqi Security Forces, have the legal obligation and moral responsibility to do everything they can to avoid and prevent violence against civilians and ensure that their humanitarian needs are addressed," a statement by Ban's press office said.
It added that Ban is also "deeply troubled" by persistent reports of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law taking place in Iraq, including summary execution of captured soldiers and detainees, indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, and the abduction and murder of members of ethnic and religious communities." Ban further urged the Iraqi government to hold accountable any members of the Iraqi Security Forces or local militias who may have committed violations of international humanitarian or human rights law.
He finally commended the work of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) as it continues to do its utmost to assist in the settlement of the current conflict in Iraq, to monitor and report on human rights violations, and to support national and international humanitarian partners in providing assistance to those in need.