Security Council Resolution 2233

Expressing grave concern at the current security situation in Iraq as a result of a large-scale offensive carried out by terrorist groups, in particular the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), (also known as Da’esh) and associated armed groups, involving violations of international humanitarian law, heavy civilian casualties, including women and children, the displacement of more than three million Iraqi civilians, use of sexual violence against and the sexual enslavement of women and girls, threats against all religious and ethnic groups, and the threat to the safety of journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel; condemning the attacks perpetrated by these terrorist groups and associated armed groups against the people of Iraq in an attempt to destabilize the country and region, and reiterating its commitment to Iraq’s security and territorial integrity,

Encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue strengthening governance, promoting human rights and the rule of law, improving the situation of women and girls, especially those impacted by ISIL, improving security and public order, combating terrorism and sectarian violence, and reiterating its support to the people and the Government of Iraq in their efforts to build a secure, stable, federal, united and democratic nation, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights,

Further expressing grave concern that the violent extremism and terrorism perpetrated by ISIL in Iraq has frequently targeted women and girls, and that ISIL has committed serious human rights abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law against women and children, including those involving murder, kidnapping, hostage taking, enslavement, their sale into or otherwise forced marriage, human trafficking, rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence, and expressing grave concern at the recruitment and use of children by ISIL and other armed groups in violation of international law,

Encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue in its efforts to promote and protect the rights of women and reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), and 2122 (2013) on women, peace, and security and reiterating the need for the full, equal, and effective participation of women; reaffirming the key role women can play in re -establishing the fabric of society and stressing the need for their full political participation, including in peace processes, political decision making, and the development of national strategies, in order to take into account their perspectives, and looking forward to the full implementation, including funding, of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Security Council resolution 1325 (2000),

Reaffirming that all parties should continue to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of affected civilians, including children, women and members of religious and ethnic minority groups, and should create conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons or local integration of internally displaced persons, particularly in areas newly-liberated from ISIL, and to promote stabilization activities and long-term sustainable development, welcoming commitments and encouraging continued efforts of the Government of Iraq for the relief of internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees, noting the important role of the Office of the United Na tions High Commissioner for Refugees, based on its mandate, in providing continued advice and support to the Government of Iraq, in coordination with UNAMI, on these issues, and encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue working with UNAMI and humanitarian agencies to ensure the delivery of humanitarian relief to those in need,