S/PV.8052 Security Council

I wish to warmly welcome the Ministers and other distinguished representatives present in the Security Council Chamber. Their presence today underscores the importance of the subject matter under discussion. In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Djibouti, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2017/788, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Djibouti, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Uruguay. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2017/710, which contains a letter dated 14 August 2017 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Iraq to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2379 (2017). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting.

I am delighted to have cast the United Kingdom’s vote in favour of resolution 2379 (2017), and I am grateful to Council members for their unanimous support of this United Kingdom- drafted text. One year after we gathered on the margins of the seventy-first session of the General Assembly and promised to do all we could to bring Da’esh to justice, this resolution is a vital step towards achieving that profoundly necessary goal. As we vote in the Chamber, we think of the people who suffered so grievously at the hands of Da’esh — of the innocents whose homelands were overrun; of the millions who were forced to flee; of the suffering inflicted on those who stayed, many of whom were massacred or enslaved; of the civilians who died in terrorist attacks in Europe and around the world; and of the great cities that were occupied, pillaged and subjected to rule by terror. There can never be adequate recompense for those who were forced to endure the wanton brutality of Da’esh, and the dead will not be brought back. But this resolution means that the international community is united in our belief that there should at least be accountability for those who perpetrated such wicked acts. The United Nations will now help to gather and preserve evidence of Da’esh’s crimes in Iraq. I can announce that Britain will provide £1 million to establish the United Nations investigative team that will lead these efforts, and I would respectfully encourage other countries to contribute. Bringing Da’esh to justice will be possible only because Iraq’s courageous armed forces have liberated one city after another, including Mosul, and advanced with the support of many nations, including my own, that sent their war planes into action against the terrorists, breaking Da’esh’s grip on about three-quarters of the Iraqi territory it once occupied. Wherever Da’esh has been driven back in Iraq, the painstaking process of gathering evidence of its crimes can now proceed under the auspices of the United Nations. As the United Kingdom Commissioner for the International Commission on Missing Persons, set up after the conflict in former Yugoslavia, it is my hope that some of this evidence will help Iraqi families learn the fate and even find the remains of their loved ones, especially in the terrible mass graves that dot the lands which Da’esh occupied. Britain has worked closely with the Government of Iraq to bring forward this resolution, and we will continue to work alongside the Government of Iraq and our partners to implement it, ensuring that the United Nations does everything possible to support domestic and international efforts to hold Da’esh to account. By striving for justice, we shall also be seeking to heal the sectarian divides that Da’esh has exploited and enflamed. The defeat of Da’esh as a territorial entity is now within sight, but its downfall will not in itself create peace and stability. Lasting peace will be secured only once we have helped Iraq to overcome sectarian division and achieve the national unity that its people deserve. Justice is an essential requirement for reaching that goal, for it is justice that leads to reconciliation, and reconciliation is the only way to protect a society — any society — against extremists who would sow hatred and division. That is why we must help Iraq to strengthen its justice system so as to ensure that all those who commit atrocities in the conflict are brought to justice. In the meantime, we know that bringing Da’esh to justice will take time, demanding patience and resolve from us all. But we owe it to those who have suffered to press ahead, however long the road might be, remembering that many offenders have been long prosecuted after they committed their crimes, as those in Srebrenica will remember. I will close by reminding the Council of an old phrase — the millstones of justice turn exceeding slow, but they grind exceeding fine. Those millstones have begun moving today. I want to thank my friend the Foreign Minister and the Government of Iraq for our work together in making resolution 2379 (2017) a reality. Let us make the consequences of the resolution a reality, too, and bring some justice to those who have suffered for too long.

I now invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy to take the floor.

Today’s vote in the Security Council is a very important step towards holding Da’esh accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Inhumanity has been the essence of the horrific offences perpetrated by Da’esh in its cruel ideology. Few times in history have we seen such deliberate and systematic acts of murder, kidnapping, suicide bombing, sexual violence, enslavement, the persecution of religious minorities and the destruction of cultural heritage. I salute the courage of the Iraqi people, who have made a huge sacrifice in the war on terror. I also praise the commitment of the Iraqi authorities to upholding the rule of law. It was in the land of ancient Mesopotamia that the world was given its first written laws — the Code of Hammurabi. In the words of King Hammurabi, it was intended “to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers so that the strong should not harm the weak”. However, no one today is seeking an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth, as in the old days of Hammurabi. We voted in favour of resolution 2379 (2017) to help achieve something more difficult — to eradicate impunity by law alone. That is accountability. At the same time, accountability means rejecting the temptation of revenge and retribution — for example, the risk of collective punishment outside of the law for entire families associated with Da’esh. That would not help our cause of upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms. We voted in favour of the resolution to support our Iraqi partners in investigating the atrocious crimes committed and in ensuring that the law is enforced and violations sanctioned swiftly. In fact, the fear of being caught is often a more powerful deterrent than the punishment itself. Therefore, we stand with Iraq in telling anyone who has joined or will join the cause of terror that they will be identified and that there will be serious consequences for their actions. We also stand with the victims and their families, who have suffered great pain and are still facing a huge humanitarian crisis because of Da’esh. For all these reasons, Italy will do everything it can to ensure the success of the new investigative team and its special envoy. As Council members know, Italy is a close partner of Iraq in the Global Coalition against Da’esh. We have helped train around 30,000 Iraqi military and police personnel. Many of those police officers have also been trained in anti-terrorism investigation to guarantee security, public order and the rule of law. We are entering a new phase of cooperation with Iraq. We are winning the war on terror militarily, but where terrorism has left destruction and hatred we cannot win the peace without a long-term commitment to stabilization, inclusive political dialogue, reconciliation and accountability in the eyes of the law. Therefore, I believe that today’s resolution is an important decision in the right direction, because the law is the pillar of our societies. Anyone who subjects other humans to acts that are less than human offends humankind and spreads insecurity in our international order, founded on the principle that respect for the law is the safeguard of human rights and fundamental liberties.

I now invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden to take the floor.

The nightmare of Da’esh rule is finally coming to an end for the millions of Iraqis who have been affected. The victory over Da’esh is a result of the commitment and resilience of the Iraqi Government and people. I pay tribute to them and to the Iraqi security forces for their determination. Yet, in some ways the victory over Da’esh is — as we have heard already — only the beginning of a long road ahead. The hard work of healing the wounds of the survivors, as well as the wounds left on Iraqi society, must now begin. Sweden welcomes today’s adoption of resolution 2379 (2017), which is an important first step towards holding those responsible for the atrocities carried out by Da’esh to account. We welcome the global advocacy role of the Special Advisor established by this resolution, as well as the fact that other Member States can request assistance from the team with the approval of the Security Council. Today’s resolution is also an example of how the Security Council can take action in support of accountability. That is encouraging because to date, advancing international justice in the Council has sometimes been difficult, not least with respect to Syria. Accountability is critical to delivering on the Council’s aims of reconciliation and sustaining peace. Let me make three short points relating to the resolution we have just adopted and its implementation. First, Da’esh has shown an extraordinary cruelty towards men, women and children. Today, I would like to remind the Council that women and children have been used as human shields, executed in public, abducted, enslaved, raped, sold like livestock and exploited as suicide bombers. We have heard heartbreaking stories from Yazidis, as well as stories from people from other religious groups, that testify to such barbaric acts. We would like to convey our respect to a courageous survivor of such acts, Ms. Nadia Murad, who is present with us today. Today’s action by the Council marks a victory for the women who have survived Da’esh and who have bravely spoken out to demand justice. I pay tribute to their courage. We must now ensure that the investigative team is equipped with the expertise and resources necessary to gather evidence of crimes against women and children, including sexual and gender-based violence. Secondly, Sweden was among the first countries to prosecute suspected perpetrators of alleged war crimes in Iraq and Syria. Finally, we urge the Iraqi authorities to put in place national legislation that ensures all perpetrators of international crimes are tried in Iraq. All suspected war crimes must be afforded due process, and investigated in an impartial and fair way. That is essential for the maintenance of the rule of law and crucial for the reconciliation process. Sweden, which is unequivocally opposed to the death penalty, expects that the investigative team will not contribute to trials that may lead to capital punishment, in line with United Nations standards. We welcome the work of the United Nations to support the Iraqi authorities’ efforts to reform their justice sector, strengthen the rule of law and the respect for human rights. After the military defeat of Da’esh and the end of its brutal rule, the Iraqi Government and the Iraqi people must turn their attention to reconciliation and building an Iraqi State that represents all Iraqis. That will take political courage and cooperation. They can rely on Sweden as a committed partner in the upcoming critical phase.

I now invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to take the floor.

I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the determined commitment demonstrated by the Governments of Iraq and the United Kingdom, which resulted in today’s unanimous adoption of the landmark resolution 2379 (2017). The resolution also indicates our wholehearted endorsement of international efforts to combat the common evil of terrorism that is confronting the entire international community. The liberation of Mosul, the last stronghold of Da’esh in Iraq, by Iraqi and coalition forces was received in Kazakhstan and its entire region with great satisfaction, as well as with deep sorrow given the high price paid for the victory by the long- suffering Iraqi people. The adoption of today’s resolution supporting the launch of an investigative team to hold the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) accountable is an important milestone in bringing the terrorist group to justice for all of the atrocities committed in the territory of Iraq and beyond. The collection analysis tools used and the preservation of credible evidence will serve to implement the principle of the inevitability of the prosecution and punishment of members of Da’esh, wherever they may be, for committing atrocious crimes against humanity, war crimes, terrorism and crimes against children, women and civilians. We also hold the perpetrators responsible for the destruction of cultural heritage sites. My delegation has high expectations of the investigative team to be established pursuant to the resolution. We join other Security Council members in calling on all interested States to cooperate with the team. The adopted resolution contains the key elements to effectively hold Da’esh to account and prosecute the transnational terrorist group. The courage and consolidation of Iraqi society required for the liberation of Mosul commands our respect and confidence that the Iraqi people will also be united in establishing the rule of law in the country and in restoring all that has been destroyed. The unfailing national solidarity and sacrifice made for their country will also, over time, return refugees to their homes, normalizing life, rehabilitating victims of ISIL — among whom, sadly, there are many families from our part of the world — and promoting sustainable development. It is obvious that only the elimination of socioeconomic factors that give rise to terrorism will prevent the return of chaos, suffering and irreparable loss among the civilian population and give them new hope for a better future. Kazakhstan is firmly convinced that a holistic and systematic approach by the international community, represented by the States Members of the United Nations and international organizations could be a solution to the complex phenomenon of international terrorism. Over the course of its implementation, such a strategy would ensure responsibility and accountability for the entire chain of terrorist groups, including organizers, ideologues, militants, their financiers and other accomplices. It is very important for my country and for all of Central Asia that we start work today in order to prevent a spillover of terrorist activity to the currently stable parts of our community. Kazakhstan, which deeply believes in human dignity, justice and freedom, joins other Member States in striving to uphold and fully implement today’s resolution, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

I would like to thank you, Sir, for your leadership at this meeting. The idea of seeking justice for victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and other atrocity crimes had its beginning in the years following the Second World War. Nothing could replace the lives lost or make families whole again, but by holding perpetrators to account for their crimes, a measure of justice was provided to the victims and the loved ones they left behind. By acting here today, we cannot restore the lives, the dignity or the innocence of the victims of crimes committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), but by taking such an important step towards holding ISIL accountable for its many unspeakable crimes we can achieve justice. In time, that will hopefully begin a process of healing. It may have taken a long time to get here, but today’s resolution 2379 (2017) is a landmark. It is a major first step towards addressing the death, suffering and injury of the victims of crimes committed by ISIL in Iraq. The crimes include genocide. The victims had been Yazidis, Christians, Shia and Sunni Muslims and many, many more. In the long history of human beings committing atrocities against their fellow human beings, the crimes of ISIL stand out, especially the brutality they have inflicted on girls and women. Thousands of Yazidi women and girls have been kidnapped by ISIL and then bought and sold like animals. I have met with some of those women. The victims of rape and sexual slavery are understandably reluctant to speak out publicly, but thanks to what we do here today, the world will still hear about their suffering. The investigative team created by today’s resolution is part of a comprehensive approach to holding ISIL accountable for its atrocities against the Iraqi people. Working with Iraq and other partners, it will expose the depravity of ISIS and provide an indispensable record of the scope and scale of its criminality. With victory over ISIS in Iraq on the horizon, that record will play an important role as Iraqis attempt to reconcile this painful period in their national life. The team will help to identify victims and perpetrators and ensure that the perpetrators face the justice they so richly deserve, while giving victims their day in court. Through that, we hope and pray that the Iraqi people can begin the process of returning to peaceful, normal, everyday lives. The United States was honoured to work alongside its Iraqi and British partners over the past year to make resolution 2379 (2017) a reality. We thank them for their dedication in seeing it through. While today’s resolution is specifically about the transnational threat that ISIS represents, we support accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and for human rights violations and abuses. Above all, we thank the Iraqi Government and Prime Minister Al-Abadi for taking an important first step towards demonstrating that justice is never beyond reach, no victim is voiceless and no perpetrator is above the law.

We believe firmly that the crimes of the terrorists of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) should not go unpunished, regardless of where they are committed. We welcome the successes of the Iraqi armed forces in their fight against ISIL and in restoring their country’s sovereignty. We are ready to continue supporting the efforts of the Iraqi leadership on both the political and practical fronts. The threat of ISIL should be eradicated wherever its terrorists wreak havoc, and we must act as a united front in doing so. Resolution 2379 (2017), which we just adopted, notes the global nature of that threat and the unity of Security Council members in combating it. But our efforts will succeed only on a solid foundation of international law that does not disregard the sovereignty of States that have been victim to terrorist attacks but rather cooperates with them. The Russian aerospace forces’ operation in Syria is based on such principles, which is key to their effectiveness. We would like to emphasize once again the importance of strengthening States’ coordination and cooperation in the effort to destroy ISIL, Jabhat Al-Nusra and terrorist groups linked to them, and without any appearance of double standards, including in the implementation of justice. As we understand it, today’s resolution, which provides for the creation of a team to collect, preserve and store evidence of crimes committed by ISIL terrorists in Iraq, was discussed in detail with the country’s authorities, and we commend that approach. Regrettably, that has not always been the case, as when, for example, the initiators of an illegitimate General Assembly resolution on a similar structure in Syria did not even consider the necessity of consulting Damascus. We once again urge the Secretary-General and Member States to refrain from supporting the so-called International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011, which is a violation of the Charter of the United Nations. In the current circumstances, which include putting military pressure on ISIL, developing national criminal justice mechanisms based on universally recognized standards is a priority. Resolution 2379 (2017) demands that we ensure that there is not the smallest possibility that terrorists can avoid facing justice. It is important that all of their crimes, whatever category they fall into — including first and foremost terrorists’ own acts — be punished with no possibility for impunity and in accordance with the seriousness of the crime. However, the primary responsibility for bringing terrorists to justice still belongs to the Governments of the States that are affected by such evil acts. In our view, today’s resolution in no way undermines that tenet and creates no new precedents. We are considering it in a context of criminal rather than international humanitarian law. We welcome the Government of Iraq’s intention to strengthen its national criminal justice system and hope that the team set up by the Council will contribute to that endeavour, while acting impartially, transparently and fully in keeping with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.

I would like to thank the Ethiopian presidency for giving the Security Council this opportunity to reaffirm its determination to fight terrorism and support the Iraqi people and authorities on their path to peace, stability and unity. And I would like to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq, who is here with us this morning. On Tuesday, in his address to the General Assembly (see A/72/PV.4), President Emmanuel Macron brought up the subject of the duty we have to speak for those who go unheard and whose voices are forgotten. For example, we have all heard the voice of Nadia Murad, the Yazidi victim who is seeking justice through the establishment of an investigation mechanism, and I would like to thank those who made sure that we heard her voice in the Assembly (see A/71/PV.3). Eradicating Da’esh and stabilizing Iraq are major priorities for France, which will continue to support the reconstruction of Iraq with the goal of achieving a lasting peace that can reconcile every element of Iraqi society, as Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, committed to in Baghdad. The Council’s unanimous adoption today of resolution 2379 (2017), proposed by the United Kingdom in response to a request from the Iraqi Prime Minister, will enable the United Nations to support the Iraqi authorities in collecting evidence of serious crimes committed by Da’esh through the deployment of an investigative team. Such crimes are intolerable and ineradicable, and the proof of that must not be erased with the passing of time. Nor must they go unpunished. We owe that to the far too high number of victims of this terrorist organization in Iraq. We welcome today’s resolution, which represents a concrete contribution to justice on the part of the Security Council. It is a major first step and a sign that the consolidation of the rule of law in Iraq is under way, with France’s full support. In that regard, France reiterates its support to the Iraqi Government in combating impunity for any crime, whoever commits it, within a framework of independent and impartial judicial institutions and with all the necessary procedural safeguards for human rights. The Council is aware of France’s commitment to respect for human rights and its unconditional rejection of the death penalty. It will be essential to ensure that the evidence collected by the United Nations investigative team is used in procedures that conform to those requirements, in accordance with United Nations practices. Those requirements should be reflected in the investigative team’s terms of reference, and we urge it to work in close coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, the relevant international criminal justice mechanisms and the competent national jurisdictions. Justice and the rule of law are a corollary of lasting peace and stability in Iraq. This new chapter in Iraq will be possible only with the resolute commitment of all to work together on issues of governance and national reconciliation so as to ensure that everyone has a place in the Iraq of tomorrow. That is needed if Da’esh is to be fully defeated, and until that long-awaited moment, today’s vote is a useful and valuable symbol.

I would like begin by thanking the United Kingdom for initiating today’s resolution 2379 (2017) and for taking a number of suggestions on board, including from my delegation. As the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) continues to lose territory, there are many challenges that the Government of Iraq has to tackle to ensure post-conflict restoration. They include rebuilding vitally important infrastructure, carrying out national reconciliation, facilitating the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons and ensuring respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and international humanitarian law. Bringing to justice those who made the country and its people suffer from acts of terrorism is also high on the list of priorities. Therefore, this resolution is a welcome and much anticipated initiative which gives Iraq the necessary support in addressing this issue with the aid of the United Nations investigative team. It will put at Iraq’s disposal available international and regional mechanisms for judicial cooperation and technical assistance in investigating terrorist crimes and gathering credible evidence quickly before perpetrators can cover up their wrongdoings. It will facilitate and streamline the international community’s efforts in assisting the country with strengthening the capacity of its law enforcement and judicial bodies. I should like to raise a few points with regard to the implementation of the present resolution. First, the team should cooperate fully with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq and international and regional governmental and non-governmental organizations that can assist in collecting evidence and testimony on the crimes committed in Iraq by ISIL. Secondly, unprecedented numbers of foreign terrorist fighters among ISIL’s ranks make the crimes perpetrated by them transnational. Therefore, for the sake of efficiently apprehending and prosecuting those terrorists, we encourage the Government of Iraq to join efforts with other States and share the evidence collected by the team without any limits or reservations. Thirdly, these pieces of evidence have to be admissible not only to the Iraqi national courts, but also to the courts of other States upon their request. For this purpose, the team has to conduct its work in accordance with universally recognized standards for collecting evidence. Last but not least, it is imperative that all those responsible for committing crimes against the civilian population, in particular violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights, be held accountable without any preconditions. Victims of those crimes deserve nothing less. In this regard, we call on the Iraqi authorities to meticulously observe due process and uphold human rights, in particular the right to a fair trial, as there can be no place for victor’s justice. Finally, Ukraine stands ready to further contribute to the cost of accountability for terrorist crimes committed by ISIL.

China welcomes the Security Council’s unanimous adoption of resolution 2379 (2017). The Iraqi Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Al Abadi, has made substantial progress in advancing institutional reform of the Government, promoting national reconciliation, easing the humanitarian situation and fostering economic development. China commends those efforts. We hope that Iraq will achieve national security and stability at an early date and that the Iraqi people will soon lead a peaceful and stable life. The terrorist acts in Iraq committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) seriously threaten the peace and security of Iraq, as well as those of the region and the world. China commends the Iraqi Government for its unrelenting efforts in combatting ISIL and the progress it has achieved in combatting terrorism. China supports Iraq in its efforts to bring ISIL members to justice, in accordance with its domestic laws, and supports the international community in providing assistance to the Iraqi Government at its request. Resolution 2379 (2017) specifies the principle of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity of Iraq, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations; establishes an investigative team to assist the Iraqi Government in collecting evidence of ISIL’s crimes committed in Iraq; and emphasizes that the investigative team shall respect the sovereignty and jurisprudence of Iraq and carry out its responsibilities strictly in accordance with the mandate requested by Iraq, and that the Iraqi Government must agree to the use of evidence. The Iraqi Government recognizes the content of the resolution and China supports this. We hope that the resolution will be implemented effectively and play a constructive role in strengthening the capacity-building of the Iraqi Government in seeking accountability for terrorist organizations in Iraq. The international counter-terrorism situation remains serious. Terrorist organizations, such as ISIL and Al-Qaida, are conducting terrorist activities and spreading extremist ideologies in many different ways. The international community should strengthen cooperation, support all counter-terrorism efforts, including those of Iraq, unify standards, adopt effective measures, and resolutely combat terrorist organizations listed by the Security Council. China shall continue to work with Iraq and all other countries in a joint effort to make new progress in international counter-terrorism cooperation.

Bolivia would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting and the delegation of the United Kingdom for its work in promting the adoption of resolution 2379 (2017). We also extend our greetings to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulkarim Al-Jafari, who is joining us at today’s meeting. I also welcome Ambassador Nadia Murad, who is also at this meeting. Bolivia voted in favour of the resolution adopted today because it believes that the fight against Da’esh, as led by the Iraqi people, deserves the full support not only of the Security Council, but also of the entire membership of our Organization. We wish to express our most sincere recognition of the brave, self-sacrificing and determined struggle waged by the Iraqi people and security forces in general and continue to wage in order to definitely eradicate Da’esh from the Republic of Iraq. It is a battle they are fighting on behalf of all of us. It is important to bear in mind that the brutality of Da’esh continues to take the lives of innocent people. It is not only a regional threat, as we saw with the attack perpetrated on 14 September, in which more than 80 people lost their lives in southern Iraq; it is also a global threat, as we recently saw in Barcelona, Afghanistan, Egypt, the United Kingdom, Belgium and France. We believe that the resolution just adopted must undoubtedly be implemented in the framework of full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq, and as a complement to the efforts of Government institutions, so that the Da’esh perpetrators of atrocities — which include crimes against humanity, violations of human rights and international humanitarian law — can be duly investigated, tried and punished. We hope that the work and evidence collected by the investigative team will contribute to bringing justice to the Iraqi people and to all the victims of the atrocities committed by Da’esh around the world. We also hope that this work will make it possible to bring to justice the perpetrators of illicit trafficking and the destruction of cultural heritage, such as the 21 June attack on the Great Mosque of Al-Nuri, whose incalculable historical and cultural value is an irreparable loss for the historical heritage of Iraq and of humankind as a whole. It is an unfortunate testament to the savagery of Da’esh. Bolivia once again condemns in the strongest terms any act of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of where, when and by whom it is committed; and reaffirms that all States must fight terrorism by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. Reconciliation is not synonymous with forgetting; reconciliation is not synonymous with impunity. Reconciliation is synonymous with satisfaction with the right to truth, the right to justice, the right to reparations and the right for these acts to never be repeated.

At the outset, the Senegalese delegation would like to thank the Ethiopian presidency for having organized this meeting. We also welcome the presence of His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Abdulkarim Al-Jafari, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq, among us this morning. Senegal was a sponsor of resolution 2379 (2017), which the Security Council has just adopted unanimously in order to reaffirm the position that all of us here share as a community of nations regarding the reprehensible nature of terrorism and violent extremism, in particular the actions of and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), known as Da’esh, an organization that now more than ever appears to pose a global threat. With the setting up of the investigative team led by a Special Adviser, in implementation of the mandate that has just been adopted, the United Nations will be able to lend the necessary assistance to the Iraqi authorities to gather evidence on the basis of the highest standards in the field on acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide committed by ISIL. This will help shed light on the truth and facilitate the necessary process of bringing the perpetrators to justice. It also opens the door to interesting prospects in terms of cooperation with Member States in the field of international criminal justice concerning acts carried out by Da’esh. Though this resolution, we are also showing our active solidarity with the people and the Government of Iraq, to which we wish to reiterate our sincere congratulations for the decisive victories they have achieved in the fight against ISIL. We have no doubt that with the ongoing support of the international community, including the United Nations, through its United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, the Iraqi authorities will continue their efforts aimed at reconciliation so as to eradicate in a lasting way ISIL’s ideology. By way of conclusion, I would like to convey my gratitude to the delegation of the United Kingdom for its ongoing efforts during the whole process of negotiations, which, of course, enabled us to achieve this outcome, which is a harbinger of great hope for the many victims who deserve that justice be done.

Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 2379 (2017) and is pleased to have co-sponsored it. I would like to express my gratitude to the United Kingdom for having taken the lead on drafting this important resolution. We support the resolution’s setting up of an investigative team to assist Iraq in collecting evidence of the crimes committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), including those that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Collecting and preserving evidence is essential in order to bring the perpetrators of those crimes to justice in future. We strongly hope that through its impartial and independent investigation, the team will help Iraq in preventing violent extremism and in promoting national reconciliation among the people. Japan will continue to stand with the people of Iraq in fighting violent extremism.

We commend the presence in this Chamber of a number of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Ministers. We also extend our greetings to Ms. Nadia Murad, to whom we pay heartfelt tribute for her dignity and courage. We thank the United Kingdom and Iraq for their leadership in negotiating resolution 2379 (2017), which we just adopted today unanimously. Uruguay voted in favour of the resolution and co-sponsored it because it views it as an important initiative that seeks to bring to justice the members of the Da’esh terrorist group, who are responsible for the worst possible crimes. War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide cannot go unpunished under any circumstance, wherever such acts may be committed. The crimes committed by Da’esh cannot and should not be exceptions to this rule. Their actions should be punished with full force of law. Respect for human rights and justice are two concepts that are intrinsically linked. Ensuring justice for victims and their families and protecting all members of a society, without ethnic, religious or gender-based distinction, is a duty of States. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights indicates in its preamble indicates that freedom, justice and peace in the world are based on the recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. Example-setting can also be an important factor. In addition to the efforts undertaken by the Iraqi Government to military combat Da’esh, bringing to justice its leaders and members who are responsible for having committed crimes will contribute to discrediting the group, making the heinous nature of its actions known to public opinion, with positive effects in terms of dissuading anyone who might have been otherwise attracted to this group. For that reason, we believe that the request for international assistance made by the Government of Iraq, aimed at collecting and preserving evidence that will make it possible to bring to justice the members of Da’esh who have perpetrated such crimes on its territory, deserves the support and attention of the Council and the United Nations as a whole. We trust that similar support will also be provided when the time comes for accountability, because that time will come in connection with the crimes committed in Syria, Somalia, Yemen and, unfortunately, so many other areas. Uruguay deems it key to eliminate discrimination and sexual violence against women in all arenas. The widespread and systematic use of sexual violence against girls and women as a weapon of war and its use by terrorists as a terror tactic deserves the strongest condemnation by all societies without distinction of any kind. Such condemnation must be effective and translated into action. We believe that it is key that the investigative team have at least one expert on the issue of gender, sexual violence and the protection of children. Finally, we would like to recall at this time the importance of international legal cooperation in the fight against terrorism, as stated in resolution 2322 (2016), which in its preambular part underscores the importance of strengthening international cooperation by investigators, prosecutors and judges to prevent and investigate terrorist acts and bring their perpetrators to justice.

At the outset, allow me to congratulate Ethiopia on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month of September. I would like to thank the United Kingdom for its initiative and efforts throughout the past month, which led to resolution 2379 (2017), which we have just adopted. I wish also to congratulate Iraq, that brotherly country, for its contribution to this important step towards holding Da’esh accountable for the crimes it committed in Iraq. The crimes committed by Da’esh in Iraq and in other places where it exists are unprecedented in their criminality and cruelty. They make no distinction between children, women and the elderly. Hence it is imperative to ensure accountability for these crimes, either to seek justice for innocent victims or as deterrence. Accountability should not be limited to the direct perpetrators of these crimes. Those who incite, finance or provide weapons or safe haven, or facilitate the commission of such crimes, should also be held accountable. In that vein, we stress that holding accountable those responsible for the crimes committed in the name of ISIS in Iraq is a crucial aspect in fighting terrorism in that brotherly country, and is a vital element in the framework of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy. Resolution 2379 (2017) includes a number of provisions related to the establishment of the investigative team, which will collect evidence related to crimes committed by ISIS. The team will help in the relevant investigations. Since Egypt was briefed on this topic a year ago, as well as throughout consultations on the resolution, Egypt has insisted on respect for the sovereignty of Iraq and the independence of its judiciary. It has stressed that Iraq must approve the provisions and details of the resolution. Furthermore, Egypt has also emphasized that the approval of any country other than Iraq should be obtained before the new team takes any action or initiate investigations related to nationals of those other countries. I would also like to stress that accountability for ISIS in Iraq is an important step towards achieving intercommunal reconciliation. That would prevent the re-emergence of ISIS and any other terrorist organization. In addition, the international community should move ahead in its efforts to rebuild areas liberated from ISIS in order to shore up Iraq’s capacities, in particular in the areas of the judiciary, security and counter-terrorism in general. In carrying out those tasks, it should adhere to the principle of national ownership. In that context, I stress that Egypt, as Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, has focused on building the capacities of Iraq to counter terrorism and hold accountable those responsible for crimes committed in that country. The Committee held a number of meetings in Iraq with donors, and the Counter- Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate has visited Bagdad on numerous occasions to support Iraq’s efforts to combat terrorism. Today’s resolution sends an important message to terrorists that the international community is united and determined to eradicate terrorism, and a message to the international community that it must end any form of support for terrorism. The Council’s adoption of a resolution holding ISIS accountable for its crimes is important. More important still, however, is the political will of States to implement this and other relevant resolutions concerning counter-terrorism. The Council should closely follow the implementation of the resolution and hold accountable those States that do not fully comply and those that continue to support terrorism and shelter terrorists. I stress that Egypt will maintain its commitment to being at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to defeat terrorism. Egypt will take all possible measures in accordance with the international law to counter terrorism and deal with those States supporting it.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. We welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2379 (2017), on ensuring the accountability of members of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)/ Da’esh for their crimes in Iraq, including those that may amount to crimes against humanity. We would like to thank the penholder, the United Kingdom, for all its efforts on this text. The adoption of this resolution today is indeed an appropriate response to the request made by the Iraqi Government calling for the assistance of the international community to ensure accountability for members of Da’esh and the crimes that they have committed. We would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to the Government of Iraq for all its efforts in that regard. The presence today of the Foreign Minister of Iraq demonstrates the importance that his Government attaches to this matter. Without any doubt, ISIL/Da’esh continues to pose a global threat to international peace and security, and that does not require lengthy explanations. It is self- evident. Through the commission of acts involving murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking, suicide bombings and the destruction of cultural heritage, Da’esh has committed very serious crimes that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. We will never forget the loss of our Ethiopian compatriots who were mercilessly massacred by ISIL in Libya, and that is why we supported this resolution, which aims to hold members of ISIL/Da’esh accountable for the crimes committed in Iraq. Its resolution is indeed very significant not only in its role to address the plight of the victims and serve justice, but also to assist significantly in countering terrorism and violent extremism. The proper collection and preservation of evidence related to crimes that have been committed by ISIL/Da’esh is indeed critical to ensuring accountability. In that regard, we support the establishment of an investigative team, headed by a special adviser, to support Iraqi efforts through collecting and preserving evidence of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by ISIL/ Da’esh in Iraq. We therefore believe that should be done with full respect for the sovereignty of Iraq and its jurisdiction over crimes committed in its territory. In the light of the severity of the crimes committed by Da’esh and the magnitude of the challenges that the country is facing, Iraq will need the appropriate technical support and capacity-building. We understand that it is in that context that the resolution encourages Member States and regional and intergovernmental organizations to provide the appropriate legal assistance and capacity- building to the Government of Iraq so as to strengthen its courts and judicial system. Let me therefore conclude by expressing our full support for efforts to ensure accountability for members of ISIL/Da’esh for all the crimes they have committed not only in Iraq, but also in other parts of the world. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq.

If I may, at the outset I should like to congratulate Ethiopia on its assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and thank it for its work in convening this meeting. I would also like to thank Egypt for its work during its presidency of the Council last month. On 19 September 2016, we held a high-level meeting (see S/PV.7775) at Headquarters in which Iraq, the United Kingdom and Belgium, among others, participated. On that ocassion, we demonstrated the unity of the international community by condemning the grave human rights violations committed by Da’esh terrorist gangs in Iraq and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. Today’s historic resolution 2379 (2017) is the result of constructive cooperation and a clear understanding between Iraq and the United Kingdom. Its goal is to establish legal foundations for an international mechanism that respects Iraq’s sovereignty and its jurisdiction in the area of evidence-collection in order to prosecute terrorists before international courts for their grave crimes in Iraq and other countries in the world. The Council is well aware of the fact that the Iraqi judicial system dates back to the Code of Hammurabi, established between 1792-1742 B.C, which became the world’s penal code. Iraq applauds the efforts of the United Kingdom to work with Iraq, in Baghdad and New York, over the past months in order to come up with draft a resolution that would respond to Iraq’s concerns. We would like to extend our special thanks to the Permanent Representative and his team at the British Mission in New York, as well as the team working at the British Embassy in Baghdad. Both worked tirelessly and with great professionalism with the Permanent Representative and his team at our Mission to the United Nations to reach a consensus-based and balanced text. Iraq appreciates the valuable contributions made by Member States of the Security Council during the negotiations on the resolution 2379, which no doubt enhanced the language of the resolution in both substance and form. We would also like to thank them for their understanding and response to Iraq’s request for international assistance in the area of evidence collection concerning the crimes committed by Da’esh. The Council is aware of the magnitude of the sacrifices, the human losses and the destruction as a result of the war against terrorism in Iraq. That destruction did not occur in Iraq alone, however. Wherever Da’esh enters, destruction and chaos follow. We cannot afford to relinquish what we have achieved together in this war. We cannot afford to renounce the huge sacrifices made by our people. We have lived a bitter experience in Iraq, with the suffering and atrocities endured by civilians, in particular minorities — including Christians, Yazidis, Sabians, Turkmen and Shabak — as well as the oppression of women and children in areas under the control of Da’esh. The international community must consider the gravity of this experience for humankind. We must do all we can to prevent it from happening again anywhere else in the world. Resolution 2379 (2017), intended to hold Da’esh accountable, is a victory for human justice as well as for the victims. It is a concrete manifestation of rejection of the brutality of Da’esh and effective condemnation of its deviant behavior. Prosecuting Da’esh criminals and bringing them to justice will send a message of deterrance to those criminals, while also sending one of reassurance to all our peoples. When we called for a Security Council resolution to prosecute Da’esh, we were well aware that it would be a very effective form of deterrence. This serves as a firm warning to the financiers of this gang and its ideological, financial and media supporters. Resolution 2379 (2017) is based on solid foundations and a clear framework of full respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and its jurisdiction in the field of criminal evidence-collection about crimes committed by Da’esh, including the international mechanism for a joint investigative team, to include Iraqi judges and international experts. Those foundations consist of the following pillars. The first entails international assistance for Iraq in the area of evidence collection, in line with robust international legal standards concerning international crimes that do not fall under the purview of the Iraqi penal law. Secondly, the resolution calls for the team to ensure that international legal expertise is shared with Iraqi experts and judges, who better understand the Iraqi legal system duly applicable to such investigations. Thirdly, Iraq would like to assist other countries whose nationals might be members of Da’esh by sharing evidence with them, in accordance with the measures stipulated in the terms of reference of the agreement between Iraq and the Secretariat, with a view to holding Da’esh gangs accountable globally, in line with the global campaign to bring Da’esh to justice. Fourthly, the success of the global campaign to bring the leaders of Da’esh to justice requires serious cooperation among all States Members of the United Nations, including sharing information they have about Da’esh criminals in accordance with the mechanism for mutual legal assistance between the investigative team and the State concerned. Iraq made sure that this provision was included in the wording of resolution 2379 (2017) so as to highlight the importance of respecting State sovereignty in line with the Charter of the United Nations. Fifthly, we call on Member States and international and regional organizations to provide all possible assistance to the team so as to strengthen Iraq’s legal and judicial system and promote the rule of law and end impunity. Sixthly, during the negotiations on resolution 2379 (2017), Iraq underlined that the terms of reference for the work of the investigation team in Iraq must be acceptable to the Iraqi Government. That total consent illustrates respect for national sovereignty and Iraq’s jurisdiction over crimes committed in Iraq against Iraqi nationals. We will work with the Secretariat to ensure that those terms are suitable for the team to carry out its work effectively in accordance with the resolution. The Iraqi Government will work with the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, who will lead the investigative team in a constructive manner. We will do that in way that facilitates his work in Iraq pursuant to the mandate conferred upon him. We will provide him with the necessary assistance to ensure his success in implementing his mission. In that regard, the Government of Iraq calls on the international community to provide the Special Adviser with as much assistance as possible to socially reintegrate and rehabilitate survivors of terrorism and violence, including through training programmes, so that they can overcome the devastating impact of the psychological and physical suffering that they had to endure. Finally, I would like to state that victory in Iraq is the result of the unity of Iraq and all its constituent people — Muslims and Christians, Shias and Sunnis, Arabs and Kurds and Turkmen, and Yazidis and Sabians — an unprecedented illustration of a united Iraq. At the same time, that victory was a reflection of the unity among the States represented om the international coalition. For the first time, the countries of the world are standing together to fight a common enemy: Da’esh. In this very Chamber in September 2014, I delivered my first speech after Da’esh entered Mosul. And here we are now. We have come a long way, with milestones marked by bloodshed, sacrifice, economic destruction and devastated towns. Yet the result is still the same, and the facts are unchanged. The will of Iraq and of the world’s peoples prevailed against Da’esh, our common enemy. We strive to achieve normalcy in our communities so that citizens can be reassured and refugees and the displaced can return home. The road ahead will require serious, genuine cooperation to prevent the return of extremism, terrorism and terrorist crimes.