Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Reiterating its grave concern at the current security situation in Iraq as a result of the continuing presence of and threat 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 cumulative displacement of more than 5.3 million Iraqi civilians, the systematic use of sexual violence and sexual enslavement, persecution of individuals on the basis of their religion, belief or ethnicity, and the threat to the safety of journalists, media professio nals, 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, expressing its sympathies to the families of all victims of terror attacks, and further reiterating its commitment to Iraq’s security and territorial integrity,

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Underscoring the need for all segments of the Iraqi population to participate in the political process, in inclusive political dialogue, including through the equal participation of women, and in the economic and social life of Iraq, to refrain from statements and actions which could aggravate tensions, to reach a comprehensive solution on the fair distribution of resources, to promote stability, to develop a just and fair solution for the nation’s disputed internal boundaries, and to work to strengthen national unity, including through cooperation between the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government in the spirit of genuine partnership, and stressing the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive Iraqi-led political process to support dialogue for all those who renounce violence, have no links to international terrorist organizations, including ISIL (Da’esh), and respect the Constitution,

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Encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue strengthening governance, pursuing more substantive reforms, particularly economic and institutional reforms to improve the standard of living for all Iraqis, including by countering corruption, promoting human rights and the rule of law, improving the situation of women and girls, especially those impacted by ISIL (Da’esh), improving security and public order, including through security sector reform, and combating terrorism and sectarian violence, 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, and strongly emphasizing the need for the Government of Iraq to conduct, in an independent manner, full, prompt, impartial and effective investigations and hold to account those responsible for violations or abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law,

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Emphasizing that all parties should 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 th e 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 (Da’esh), including over 820,000 persons estimated to be currently displaced from Mosul, stressing respect for the rights of internally displaced persons, without discrimination, including in the context of resettlement, returns or local integration, as well as for the freedom of movement, reiterating its gratitude to the host communities, underscoring that host communities should provide access to safe areas for internally displaced persons and that those who commit violations and abuses against them should be held accountable, 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 Nations 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 all those in need,

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Urging the Government of Iraq to continue to promote and protect human rights and also to consider additional steps to support the Independent High Commission for Human Rights in carrying out its mandate, encouraging the Government of Iraq to reinvigorate 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), 2122 (2013) and 2242 (2015) 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, stressing the need for their full political participation, including in upcoming elections and the Independent High Electoral Commission, stabilization planning, political decision making, local and national reconciliation and peace processes, and expressing concern about the lack of implementation, including funding, of Iraq’s National Action Plan of 2014 in accordance with resolution 1325 (2000) as well as the lack of a national entity responsible for its implementation,

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Expressing grave concern that the violent extremism and terrorism perpetrated by ISIL (Da’esh) in Iraq has systematically targeted women and children, especially those from minority communities, and that ISIL (Da’esh) has committed serious human rights abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law against all people, particularly women and children, including those involving murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking, suicide bombings, enslavement, sale into or otherwise forced marriage, human trafficking, rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence, recalling in this regard resolution 2331 (2016) and the Joint Communiqué between the United Nations and the Government of Iraq on Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (2016) and further expressing grave concern at the recruitment and use of children by ISIL (Da’esh) and other armed groups in violation of international law,

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Expressing its readiness to sanction further individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities who are supporting ISIL (Da’esh), strongly condemning any engagement in direct or indirect trade in oil and refined oil products, modular refineries and related material, other natural resources, and antiquities from Iraq involving these terrorist groups, as well as drug trafficking, consistent with resolution 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015), as well as human trafficking, sale of women and girls, and forced marriage, and emphasizing that such engagement constitutes financial support for such terrorists and may lead to further sanctions listings by the Committee,

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Stressing the importance of the United Nations, in particular UNAMI, in advising, supporting and assisting the Iraqi people, including civil society, and the Government of Iraq to strengthen democratic institutions, advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation according to the Constitution, ensure reconciliation efforts are coordinated, facilitate regional dialogue, develop processes acceptable to the Government of Iraq to resolve disputed internal boundaries, aid youth and vulnerable groups, monitor and encourage the protection of civilians, particularly refugees and internally displaced persons, including those in transit, and promote the full participation of women in political and peace processes and institutions, gender equality and the protection of human rights, children and youth, and vulnerable groups, highlighting the need for specific information and practical recommendations related to the gender dimensions of the conflict and on the implementation of women, peace and security agenda in Iraq, and the continued provision of dedicated expertise to facilitate coordinated implementation of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, and emphasizing the importance of the United Nations, in particular UNAMI, in prioritizing advice, support, and assistance to the Iraqi people, including civil society, and the Government of Iraq to achieve these goals,