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Kuwait says it has recovered the remains of 236 missing in Iraq


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1 hour ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

 

Wondering if I need to UP my game with The $$$$$ Gods and sacrifice of bucketful of KFC EXTRA CRISPY CHICKEN BREASTS at the next full moon or some such thing. I mean who doesn’t like Breasts for Goodness Sake ? 

 

CHICKEN 🐔 BREASTS PEOPLE!!!!!!! For heaven sake, get your minds outta the gutter and onto the curb ! 

( . . . actually, I didnt mean chicken breasts at all ) Probably get into trouble for this too. 😆

I love a good chicken breast. I am in double secret and I love that protein.  

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The Central Bank announces the lifting of all global barriers imposed

   001.jpg


28/7/2018 12:00 am 

Al-Hadithi: continue to return money smuggled from abroad 
Baghdad / conscious / morning 

The Central Bank of Iraq revealed that its measures against currency smuggling, money laundering and terrorism financing have been praised by international financial organizations and the International Monetary Fund, calling for lifting all barriers previously imposed on Iraq.

The director of financial operations and debt management at the Central Bank of Iraq Mohammad Dagher told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar is stable for the past six months," denying what some media reported an increase in demand to buy the dollar During the current year to smuggle to some neighboring countries, noting that «in the month of June, sales of the dollar in the Central Bank of Iraq to half of monthly sales for the months preceding (April, March and February)», also confirming the decline in sales of the dollar in the first half of this year 2018 to w Last year's sales of 2017. 
Saad al-Hadithi, a spokesman for Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi's media office, confirmed that the government is continuing its work to recover the smuggled money, in addition to the financial assets found in international banks.
Al-Hadithi said in a press statement: "The government is seeking to recover all the Iraqi funds that are in the international banks, both under the former regime and in the current period." He added that "there has been ongoing work and discussions since last years with governments of countries with financial assets for Iraq before 2003 "He explained that« the government is also seeking to recover money smuggled by corrupt officials, where there is cooperation between Interpol and the World Bank in terms of money smuggled and money laundering ».

http://www.alsabaah.iq/ArticleShow.aspx?ID=160715

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Financial performance

   
 

 
 


01/8/2018 12:00 am 

Haidar Kazem al-Baghdadi 

A number of challenges began our financial sector beyond and makes gains in the most appropriate and most important that the Iraqi banks have reached the vote outside Iraq, and we can consider this as a positive country came out of an exceptional circumstance did not pass any of the countries of the world. 

The arrival of the Iraqi banking voice to the international forums is very positive for the domestic financial sector and achieves economic feasibility for the national economy, where there will be cooperation with international and regional banks that have experience in performance and offer high-speed products in a time of competition among the 
world's banks  . 
 Here we must think about entering into the field of international financial work with all the strength of starting from the fact that Iraq is a pioneer in the region and the world in the performance and financial spread decades ago, and Iraq's economic capabilities require that it has a financial instrument of international credibility and achieve the benefits of cooperation With the largest regional and international financial institutions  .
And when we find that a number of Iraqi conventional and Islamic banks are honored by a specialized institution at the Arab level, it is not a vacuum, but there is a financial follow-up by the teams of those institutions noted the existence of discrimination in performance, and this of course reflects a positive image of Iraqi banks that we are aware That not a few of them need to modernize the system and enter strongly into the field of real work to create a state of improvement in public performance, which produces an integrated financial system that puts the Iraqi financial sector in the forefront.  
We need to know the requirements of international work and the mechanisms of transfer of advanced banking technology, which promotes payments and offers the best products. It is not harmful to promote the local institutions that adopt advanced technology in the field of payments and support their activities, benefiting the beneficiary citizen and the economy. While working to adopt the best
advanced systems  .
The Iraqi financial sector is the focus of regional and international attention and is working to build itself gradually to achieve the advancement and access to the world with the benefit of the advanced systems and continuous follow-up by the Central Bank of Iraq, which gives detailed development of performance is of great importance to create a competitive financial sector in the region and the world, and because Iraq awaits a promising future and size A large business must have a banking sector capable of dealing with the largest numbers to be in the  
foreground. 

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IMO, the articles insinuating the IMF is asking for the lifting all international barriers on the CBI along with the a New credit status rating of B, could possibly mean Iraq may be heading toward IMF article VIII standing which would deem the IQD as an internationally traded currency.  We just have to wait and  see if Iraq choses to make the move and loose the protection of IMF article XIV status. In all it's very good news.

Edited by Butifldrm
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4 minutes ago, Butifldrm said:

IMO, the articles insinuating the IMF is asking for the lifting all international barriers on the CBI along with the a New credit status rating of B, could possibly mean Iraq may be heading toward IMF article VIII standing which would deem the IQD as an internationally traded currency.  We just have to wait and  see if Iraq choses to make the move and loose the protection of IMF article XIV status. In all it's very good news.

Sounds about right Butifldrm. Hope you are having a nice evening. 

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 Banks


Economy News _ Baghdad

The Ministry of Justice announced on Thursday the issue of lifting the seizure of the assets of Rafidain and Rashid banks with foreign banks worth more than 11 million dollars. 
The director of the legal department of the ministry, Raad Khalil, said in a statement received by "Economy News" a copy, that "the department of foreign lawsuits in the department succeeded in lifting the seizure of Iraqi funds belonging to Rafidain and Rashid banks in France (BNP Paribas and Natixis) Dutch for City Bank, "explaining that" the value of $ 11 million. "
The Director General of the Department said that "the lawyer appointed by the Ministry to plead for the case received a decision from the French Supreme Court (Court of Cassation) to overturn the decision of the Court of Appeal issued on 4/2/2014, which requires that the bank Rafidain and Rashid pay money to Citi Bank ) And return the case to the Court of Appeal and authorize the Rafidain Bank and Rashid to file an appeal against the decision before the Supreme Court. 
Khalil said that "a decision was issued to lift the seizure of funds in the (BNP Paribas), belonging to Rafidain and Rashid," pointing to "the continuation of the Department to follow up with the lawyer and the parties concerned."


Views 31   Date Added 02/08/2018

 
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Editorial Date: 2018/8/2 12:26 • 97 times read
Iraq recovers $ 11 million reserved in France
[Ayna-Baghdad] The 
Ministry of Justice resolved the issue of lifting the seizure of the Rafidain and Rashid government banks with foreign banks, which exceeds $ 11 million.
"The Department of Foreign Prosecutions succeeded in lifting the seizure of the Iraqi funds belonging to the Rafidain and Rashid banks in France [BNP Paribas and Natixis], which was issued by the courts," a statement issued by the ministry said. Dutch for Citibank. " 
"The lawyer appointed by the ministry to plead the case received a decision by the French Supreme Court [Court of Cassation] to overturn the decision of the Court of Appeal issued on February 4, 2014, which obligates the Rafidain and Rashid Bank to pay money to City Bank and return the case to the Court Appeal and authorize the Rafidain and Rashid Bank to file an appeal against the decision before the Supreme Court. "
"A decision was issued to lift the seizure of the funds in [BNP Paribas], belonging to Rafidain and Rashid," Khalil said, adding that "the department continues to follow up the matter with the lawyer and the concerned parties."
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Iraq welcomes the extension of UNAMI's work and demands $ 57 million

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3 hours ago

 

Baghdad welcomed the decision of the Security Council to extend the mandate of the United Nations mission to Iraq, "UNAMI" until the end of May next, and demanded that the International Organization for Migration to return the remaining funds in the Organization since the elections abroad in 2004, amounting to $ 57 million .

In a statement on Thursday (August 2nd), Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that the minister stressed during his meeting with the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq, Jan Kubic, the need to take the approval of the Iraqi government if there is any desire to adopt strategies, Related to UNAMI's mandate and powers, or plans that may be outside of UNAMI's own mandate .

For his part, Kubic revealed that the UN mission to Iraq, "UNAMI" is in the prioritization of the next phase, which includes reconstruction, and the return of displaced persons and economic development, especially in the areas of southern Iraq for lack of adequate activities there.

He pointed out that the head of the international investigation mission to document the crimes will come to Baghdad  in the coming days to consult with the Iraqi authorities concerned on the mechanism of the work of the mission on crimes, after the adoption of the United Nations, Iraq's proposal to document the crimes of the Organization .

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) is a political mission established by Security Council resolution 1500 of 2003 at the request of the Government of Iraq. The mission has since carried out its tasks and expanded significantly in 2007 under resolution 1770, The mandate of the Mission to provide advice and assistance to the Government and the people of Iraq in a number of areas, including the promotion of inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, assistance in the electoral process, planning of the national census, facilitating regional dialogue between Iraq and its neighbors and promoting the protection of human rights and judicial and legal reform. 

R.

http://www.nrttv.com/AR/News.aspx?id=2948&MapID=2

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Thursday 2 August

 

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Alsumaria News / Baghdad 
The Ministry of Justice , announced on Thursday, the lifting of the custody of the assets of Rafidain Bank and Rashid custody of the assets of Rafidain and Rashid abroad. 

The director of the legal department in the ministry, Raad Khalil, said in a statement received, Alsumaria News, a copy, that "the department of foreign cases in the department of the ministry resolved the issue of lifting the seizure of the assets of Rafidain and Rashid in France (BNP Paribas and Natixis) City Bank, "adding that" the assets exceed $ 11 million. "

 

 


"The lawyer who was appointed by the ministry to plead the case received a decision by the French Supreme Court (Court of Cassation) to overturn the decision of the Court of Appeal issued on 4/2/2014, which requires that the Rafidain and Rashid Bank be obliged to pay money to City Bank and return the case To the Court of Appeal and authorize the Rafidain Bank and Rashid to submit an appeal to the Supreme Court. " 

Khalil said that "a decision was issued to lift the seizure of funds in BNP Paribas, which belongs to Rafidain and Rashid," adding that "the continuation of the department to follow up the matter with the lawyer and the parties concerned." 

The Ministry of Justice announced on July 22 that the French Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal of Paris decided to lift the detention of $ 23 million back to the Central Bank of Iraq.

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Masoum: We welcome Security Council resolution 2379, which came against the backdrop of massacres, which calls for the right of the Yezidis

index5.jpe

The President of the Republic, Fuad Masoum, stressed in his speech to the conference on the fourth anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, "to continue the serious and multiparty national and international action to free all prisoners and martyrs from Yezidi citizens as well as to alleviate the suffering of the displaced and to speed up the return. Rebuild their homes and compensate them or compensate their families for the grave material and moral losses caused by their catastrophe. "

"This fourth anniversary of the Yazidi genocide is going through a new circumstance thanks to the success of our Iraqi people, the Abu Dhabi, in defeating a major criminal, while the efforts to investigate the fate of thousands of Yazidis have been progressing since the summer of 2014. However, And the international hard and multiplying to free all prisoners and prisoners of Yazidi citizens as well as alleviate the suffering of the displaced and accelerate the reconstruction of their areas and compensation or compensate their families for the material losses and moral damage caused by the catastrophe. It also requires the continuation of efforts to expose, condemn and punish each of the criminals without exception, so as not to escape any of them from justice.

He went on the President of the Republic  " and here was a welcome vote of the UN Security Council the end of last year, the adoption of Resolution No. 2379 Judge to hold accountable Daesh gangs for crimes committed in Iraq, especially those that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity and genocide, and our unwavering support and follow us continuing to implement Its decision to establish a specialized investigation team to collect, preserve and store evidence of crimes against humanity and other atrocities committed against the Yezidis. "
I also salute the solidarity and solidarity of our people in all its components with the suffering of their Yazidi brothers as well as the Christians and their determination to deepen understanding and national unity against terrorism, extremism, violence, hatred and atonement. , Confident that this ordeal caused by the criminal mentality of Daash, has strengthened national cohesion among all Iraqis. End Ah

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2018/08/07 21:41

Security Council to hold a meeting on Iraq

 

 

BAGHDAD / MESSALAH: The United Nations Security Council, Wednesday, 8 August 2018, a session on Iraq.

"The meeting will discuss the situation in Iraq and will be held at 10 am New York time, 5 pm Baghdad time," a UNAMI statement said.

"It is expected that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jan Kubic, briefing shortly after the start of the meeting."

"The Special Representative will be briefed on developments in Iraq and UNAMI," he said.

Follow the obelisk

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/146505/مجلس-الأمن-يعقد-الأربعاء-جلسة-حول-العراق

 
Edited by Butifldrm
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August 2018 Monthly Forecast

 Posted 31 July 2018
Download Complete Forecast:PDF
MIDDLE EAST

Iraq

Expected Council Action

In August, the Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Ján Kubiš, is scheduled to brief the Council on the latest Secretary-General’s report on UNAMI and the most recent developments. A civil society briefer is also a possibility.

On 14 June, the Council renewed UNAMI’s mandate for ten months in resolution 2421. The mandate expires on 31 May 2019.

Key Recent Developments

Parliamentary elections were held on 12 May in a mostly peaceful and orderly manner, but they were marked by a low voter turnout of 44.5 percent. No party managed to gain a majority of seats. Prominent Shi’a cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s Sairoon Alliance won 54 seats out of 329. However, he will not be prime minister, as he did not run for that position. The Fatah Coalition of Hadi al-Amiri—the leader of the Badr organisation, the political arm of a Tehran-backed Shi’a militia—came second with 47 seats. Al-Sadr, who in the past has been an outspoken critic of Iranian involvement in Iraq, announced the formation of a coalition government with al-Amiri. The Nasr Coalition led by current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi placed third, winning 42 seats. Following reports of fraud, the Council of Representatives (the Iraqi parliament) mandated a full recount, which was rejected by the prime minister, who maintained that such an order was not within the parliament’s constitutional role. The Federal Supreme Court (FSC) was petitioned to give a legal opinion on the constitutionality of the parliament’s legislation. In its 21 June judgment, the FSC ruled in favour of the parliament. The recount started on 3 July, but at press time it had not yet been completed, with no official election result declared, and therefore no new government formed.

Starting in early July, protests erupted in the south of Iraq, giving voice to the long-standing frustration of the Iraqi population over a lack of basic services and infrastructure, such as water and electricity, as a result of neglect by the government. Late in July, protests had spread to cities in other regions, including Baghdad. The demonstrations were publicly backed by al-Sadr, who argued that politicians should address the protesters’ concerns before forming a new government.

Iraqi government forces defeated the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in December 2017 after three years of fighting that resulted in massive destruction and the internal displacement of over five million people. In September 2017, the Council adopted resolution 2379, which requested the Secretary-General to establish an investigative team to support Iraqi domestic efforts to hold ISIL accountable for crimes it committed in the country, by collecting, storing and preserving in Iraq evidence of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed by ISIL. On 31 May, the Secretary-General appointed Karim Asad Ahmad Khan of the UK as Special Adviser and head of the investigative team. He assumed his position in July and is soon expected to conduct a first visit to Iraq, where he will be based.

On 14 June, the Security Council renewed the mandate of UNAMI until 31 May 2019, ahead of its 31 July expiry. It seemed that the penholder, the US, was aiming for an early adoption in anticipation of a possible rise in political tensions in the aftermath of the elections. For the first time since UNAMI’s role was expanded in 2007, its mandate was changed. UNAMI’s role in advancing an inclusive political dialogue and reconciliation was prioritised. Language was also added on UNAMI’s role in advising, supporting and assisting Iraq in facilitating regional dialogue and cooperation on issues of environment and water; promoting accountability; supporting the work of the UN investigative team; assisting Iraq and the UN Country Team in strengthening child protection; approaching gender as a cross-cutting issue; and advising and assisting Iraq in ensuring the participation, involvement and representation of women at all levels. The resolution encourages all relevant UN actors to implement the recommendations of the independent external assessment of UNAMI and requests that the Secretary-General report on the relevant actions taken in his quarterly reports. To align UNAMI’s authorisation with the UN budget cycle, the mandate will be renewed in ten months instead of a year. The text of the resolution was streamlined significantly by cutting the preambular section from several pages to just three paragraphs.

On the issue of the missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives, the latest report of the Secretary-General points out a few constructive developments, such as ongoing discussions between Iraq and Kuwait on setting a date for the official handover of already-located Kuwaiti property.

Human Rights-Related Developments

During its 38th session, the Human Rights Council (HRC) considered the report of the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnès Callamard, on her mission to Iraq from 14 to 23 November 2017 (A/HRC/38/44/Add.1). The report noted as problematic the absence of steps taken by the government to incorporate international crimes in its domestic legislation pursuant to Security Council resolution 2379, which said the people of Iraq deserve a legal framework and a judicial response that “properly reflect the nature of the crimes committed, which are on par with atrocity crimes investigated and tried in other parts of the world”. The report said international actors should provide technical, financial and strategic support to the relevant authorities to support the implementation of recommendations related to criminal legal reforms, ratification of international treaties, accountability for crimes committed by ISIL and all other parties to the conflict, transitional justice, and gender-based crimes.

Issues and Options

The Council will closely follow developments related to the current post-electoral period and the formation of a new government. Looking ahead, the Council could consider conducting a visiting mission to Iraq to show support for the new government after its formation is complete and to get a better understanding of current challenges on the ground.

As for accountability efforts, the Council will continue to monitor developments regarding the investigative team established by resolution 2379. Some members, especially those opposed to the death penalty, continue to have concerns about the possibility of evidence shared by the team being used in criminal proceedings in which capital punishment could be imposed. The Council could consider inviting the recently appointed Special Adviser to a meeting to get a better understanding of progress in forming his team and commencing its work.

Council Dynamics

Council members support UNAMI, and negotiations on the mandate renewal appeared largely uncontentious. A recurring issue was a push by some members for stronger language on accountability, but it appears that others, including the penholder, did not consider that to be a priority at this point. Since the independent external assessment was conducted, Council members have had diverging views on how to address its recommendations. As a supporter of independent external assessments, the US secured language encouraging the UN to take action on the assessment’s recommendations and for the Secretary-General to report on that action.

The US is the penholder on Iraq issues in general, and the UK is the penholder on Iraq-Kuwait issues. Poland is the chair of the 1518 Iraq Sanctions Committee.

https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2018-08/iraq_20.php

Edited by Butifldrm
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  • yota691 changed the title to Security Council Committee on Iraq August 2018 Monthly Forecast
SC/13447
7 AUGUST 2018
 

Security Council Sanctions Committee concerning Iraq Removes One Entity from Its Sanctions List

On 7 August 2018, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1518 (2003) approved the removal of the following entity from its List of Individuals and Entities subject to the assets freeze set out by paragraphs 19 and 23 of Security Council resolution 1483 (2003) adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations:

B. Entities and other groups

IQe.024 Name: DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND MINERAL INVESTIGATION
A.k.a.: na F.k.a.: na Address: P.O. Box 986, Alwiya, Al Sadoon Park Area, Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq Listed on: 26 Apr. 2004 Other information:

The names of individuals and entities removed from Committee’s Sanctions List pursuant to a decision by the Committee may be found in the “Press Releases” section on the Committee's website at: https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1518/press‑releases.

To obtain a fully updated version of the List of individuals and entities subject to the sanctions measures, Member States are encouraged to consult, on a regular basis, the Committee’s website at the following URL: https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/1518/materials.  The Committee’s Sanctions List is available in HTML, PDF and XML format.

The Consolidated United Nations Security Council Sanctions List is also updated following all changes made to the Committee’s Sanctions List.  An updated version of the Consolidated List is accessible via the following URL:  https://www.un.org/sc/suborg/en/sanctions/un-sc-consolidated-list.

https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sc13447.doc.htm

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SC/13448
8 AUGUST 2018
8324TH MEETING (AM)

Amid Growing Demonstrations, Iraq’s Government Must Focus on Inclusion, Economic, Political System Reform, Special Representative Tells Security Council

Facing myriad challenges, including growing demonstrations, Iraq’s new Government must focus on prioritizing inclusion, political and economic reforms, justice, equality and accountability, while ensuring the timely delivery of basic services, the Security Council heard today from a senior United Nations official.

Ján Kubiš, Special Representative of the Secretary‑General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), briefed the 15‑member organ, outlining developments since the country’s May parliamentary elections.  He noted that public demonstrations, which began in July in Basra Governorate, have since spread to predominantly to Shia areas.  While most of the protestors are young people taking to the streets with complaints over the lack of basic services, their message has become more politicized in recent days, as they demonstrate against corruption, dysfunction and a stagnant Government.

Noting Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi’s efforts to provide responses to these legitimate demands, Mr. Kubiš said measures remain insufficient to address the needs of the people.  He stressed that the new Prime Minister must have authority and take responsibility for his Cabinet.  He also urged that the new Government must be non‑sectarian, do more to fight corruption and resolutely act against militia and criminal gangs.

He further welcomed efforts taken by the Board of Judges to recount ballots of the election.  The process has now moved on to results tabulation to generate the provisional election results.  While such transparency has increased public confidence in the electoral process, Iraq’s security environment remains volatile, with rampant abductions, disappearances and violations of child rights.  Further, Mr. Kubiš expressed concern over the possibility of a serious water shortage, urging neighbouring countries to boost cooperation with Iraq on this critical issue.  He also welcomed various steps taken to include women at all levels of Government as well as mainstreaming women’s issues in Parliament.

Expanding on the situation women and girls face, Suzan Araf Maroof, Coordinator of the Iraq cross‑sector task force on Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), outlined priority areas where the 15‑nation organ and Government could work together.  They included the establishment of a system to widen women’s access to gender‑based violence services, amending legislation that discriminates against women, and connecting the women, peace and security agenda with Iraqi stabilization efforts.  Women must also have access to empowerment programmes, such as vocation training and literacy programmes.

Despite a 25 per cent quota for women in Parliament and public institutions, they remain underrepresented or absent in decision‑making, she said.  Moreover, most of the 8.2 million Iraqis who need immediate protection and assistance are women, yet 91 per cent of camps for internally displaced persons and refugees have no female managers.  She also expressed concern that sexual violence continues at an alarming rate, with women and girls who have been living in areas under the control of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) being exposed to the most extreme forms of violence.

Also briefing the Council, Philip Spoerri, Permanent Observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the United Nations, speaking in his capacity as Chair of the Tripartite Commission on missing persons, recalled that the mechanism was established as a result of the Gulf War that began with Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.  Despite continued search efforts, he added, it has been 14 years since human remains belonging to a Kuwaiti missing person have been recovered, and 7 years since Iraqi remains have been found.  “Hundreds of families still await answers,” he said, noting the challenges faced by the mechanism.

Mohammed Hussein Bahr Aluloom (Iraq) welcomed UNAMI’s mandate and the appointment of the head of a team to investigate war crimes ISIL/Da’esh committed in his country.  “We need to adopt our anti‑terrorist strategy to combat extremism and focus on the decentralization of their efforts,” he said.  Iraq’s Government, having “cleansed its territory” of ISIL/Da’esh, intends to implement development projects in regions that experienced destruction and instability.  This will help provide opportunities to young people to find jobs, he added, emphasizing the need to boost the private sector and encourage the export of locally made products.

The Government has also given clear instruction to the security forces to protect demonstrators, he said.  Iraq’s people need stability.  He expressed concern that landmines and other explosive devices continue to maim and kill Iraqis.

Also speaking today was the representative of Kuwait, who stressed the need to address the issue of Kuwaiti prisoners and missing nationals.  The fate of hundreds of Kuwaitis is unknown.  “This is an open wound and the families of the missing are still suffering,” he said.

Peru’s representative expressed concern over the recent outbreak of protests in Iraqi cities and the “climate of distrust and instability that seems to be growing”.  Peace should be used to improve quality of life, he added.

The meeting began at 10:03 a.m. and ended at 11:02 a.m.

Briefings

JÁN KUBIŠ, Special Representative of the Secretary‑General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), noted the public demonstrations which began in July in Basra Governorate and have since spread to predominantly Shia areas, including in Baghdad.  The protestors are mainly young people taking to the streets with complaints over the lack of basic services.  Their message has become more politicized, however, as they as demonstrate against corruption, dysfunction and a stagnant Government.  They urge the delivery of basic services to citizens and the need to ensure security.  The new Prime Minister must have authority and take responsibility for his Cabinet.  Laws that do not ensure justice for the people must be abolished.  He noted Iraq Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi’s efforts to provide responses to such legitimate demands.  These resolute measures, while welcomed, remain insufficient to address the needs of the people.

The Government must be inclusive and non‑sectarian, Mr. Kubiš continued.  It must also prioritize political and economic reforms, justice, equality and accountability, as well as fight corruption and resolutely act against militia and criminal gangs.  Based on the election law amended on 6 June, the Iraq’s Board of Judges adopted modalities for the recount of ballots.  On 6 August, they announced that the recount process had been completed.  The process has now moved on to results tabulation to generate the provisional election results.  “I welcome the orderly, transparent and well‑organized conduct of the recount,” he said, adding that that action has increased public confidence in the electoral process.

Further, he recalled last week’s UNAMI meeting with women leaders and civil society, which resulted in recommendations on how to involve women at all levels of Governments.  It also aimed at mainstreaming women’s issues in Parliament.  He urged Member States to support Iraq by accelerating the delivery of pledges made in Kuwait.  For its part, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had successfully completed some 1,000 projects.  The security environment still remained volatile, as abductions, disappearances and violations of child rights remained rampant.  He also expressed concern over the possibility of a serious water shortage, urging neighbouring countries Turkey and Iran to boost cooperation on this critical issue.

PHILIP SPOERRI, Permanent Observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the United Nations, briefing in his capacity as Chair of the Tripartite Commission on missing persons, recalled that the mechanism was born as a result of the Gulf War that began with Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990.  Its sole aim is to trace persons still unaccounted for as a result of the conflict and to provide answers to their families.  Having arranged the repatriation of more than 70,000 Iraqis from Saudi Arabia to Iraq, as well as repatriation of 4,000 Kuwaiti and allied forces prisoners of war and more than 1,300 Kuwaiti and third country civilian detainees and internees from Iraq to Kuwait, the Commission shifted its focus to determining the whereabouts and fate of military and civilian persons still missing.  Since 2003, the remains of 373 persons have been recovered, including 275 in Iraq and 98 in Kuwait, he said.

Today, a total of 1,080 cases of missing persons still remain open within the frame of the Tripartite mechanism, he said, including 371 reported missing by Kuwait and 700 cases reported by Iraq.  Another 336 documented cases of Iraqi missing persons, known as Out of Tripartite cases, remain unresolved.  He noted that those cases did not make up all missing persons cases, but only those documented by the mechanism.  Despite continued search efforts, he added, it has been 14 years since human remains belonging to a Kuwait missing person have been recovered, and 7 years since Iraqi remains have been found.  “Hundreds of families still await answers,” he said, noting the many challenges faced by the mechanism, including the passage of time, topological changes, the loss of archive material and lack of availability of appropriate equipment and machinery.

Recommendations to address those challenges were included in an ICRC report in July 2017 titled “The Review Project” report, he continued.  Based on those recommendations, he said, field work and excavation missions will continue on 27 August in Samawah, a promising site halfway between Basra and Baghdad.  “Despite the fact that no positive exhumation occurred during the past years, there is a newly rejuvenated positive energy and commitment to the revitalization of the Tripartite Commission from all parties,” he said, thanking the members of the Commission, its technical subcommittee and UNAMI for their efforts and emphasizing his organization’s commitment to spare no effort to find and recover the remains of missing persons.

SUZAN ARAF MAROOF, Coordinator of the Iraq cross‑sector task force on Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), drew the 15‑nation organ’s attention to the way in which crises in the country have impacted women.  Most of the 8.2 million Iraqis who need immediate protection and assistance are females, yet 91 per cent of camps for internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees have no women managers, preventing their needs from being addressed.  Sexual and gender‑based violence meanwhile continues at an alarming rate, with women and girls who have been living in areas under the control of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) being exposed to the most extreme forms of violence — including rape, forced marriages and kidnapping for sexual slavery and exploitation.  Moreover, there remains a huge need for protection and psychosocial services for the most vulnerable women and girls, she said, adding that the collapse of the social security network has further impacted the social and economic status of women, making the face of poverty in Iraq predominantly female.

Despite a 25 per cent quota for women in Parliament and public institutions, they remain underrepresented or absent in decision‑making, including in political parties, she continued.  This reflected a general lack of acceptance of the importance of women’s role in decision‑making, due to the weight of tradition, their economic dependence on men, an unequal share of family responsibilities and the influence of religious extremism.  Noting that Iraq in 2014 became the first country in the Middle East to adopt a national action plan based on Council resolution 1325 (2000), she said a broad involvement of authorities, together with civil society, to address women’s security demonstrated an understanding that women cannot be left aside or considered victims only, and that their needs should be addressed comprehensively.

She set out several priorities for the Council to address in conjunction with the Iraq Government.  They included the establishment of a system to widen women’s access to gender‑based violence services, as well as free psychosocial and legal support services; amending or annulling legislation that discriminates against women, as well as the adoption of a comprehensive law on violence against women; and connecting the women, peace and security agenda with Iraqi stabilization efforts.  In addition, women — including refugees, internally displaced persons and those in host communities — must have access to empowerment programmes, such as vocation training and literacy programmes, and opportunities must be created for women in participating in peacebuilding.  Noting that the task force is developing a second national action plan, she called for a strong commitment to women’s rights as well as financial and technical support from UNAMI, the Council and the broader international community.  “We look to the Security Council to strengthen this work and coordination on women, peace and security in Iraq,” she added.

Statements

MANSOUR AYYAD SH. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait) said that it has been 28 years since Iraq invaded his country.  And still, the issue of Kuwaiti prisoners and missing nationals remains among the most important humanitarian issues to be addressed.  “This is an open wound and the families of the missing are still suffering,” he said.  The fate of hundreds of Kuwaitis is still unknown.  He expressed support to UNAMI in its efforts to get answers and closure.  Kuwait understands the plight and challenges Iraq faces.  It remains committed to providing support and assistance to the “New Iraq”.  His nation will also continue to cooperate with Baghdad, regional countries and the international community to help fulfil Iraq’s needs and improve its ability to deliver critical services.

GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru) expressed concern over the outbreak of protests in Iraqi cities and the “climate of distrust and instability that seems to be growing”.  Such demonstrations are taking place as the Government is being formed.  He underscored the importance of ensuring the full participation of women at all levels of Government.  Peace should be used to improve quality of life, he added, commending the creation of the National Development Strategy for Iraq.  Refugees must be able to return to their homes in a safe and sustainable matter.  Further, he expressed concern over water shortages, particularly in Basra, emphasizing that such a challenge must not be allowed to be exploited by terrorists.

MOHAMMED HUSSEIN BAHR ALULOOM (Iraq) welcomed UNAMI’s unique mandate which invites everyone to support Iraq.  The Mission focuses on helping Iraq achieve sustainable development and deal with climate change.  “We have all the confidence that UNAMI will work hand in hand with the Government to ensure continuality of efforts,” he added.  He welcomed the appointment of Karim Asad Ahmad Khan of the United Kingdom to investigate war crimes ISIL/Da’esh committed in Iraq.  “We need to adopt our anti‑terrorist strategy to combat extremism and focus on the decentralization of their efforts,” he said.  It is essential to move from a national military fight to a more global fight against terrorism to prevent terrorists from regrouping.

Landmines and other explosive devices continue to maim and kill Iraqis, he continued.  Iraq’s Government, having “cleansed its territory” of ISIL/Da’esh, intends to implement development projects in regions that experienced destruction and instability.   This will help give opportunities to young people to find jobs.  “I’m thinking of a 10‑year plan and a 5‑year plan,” he added, emphasizing the need to boost the private sector and encourage the export of locally made products.  UNAMI continues to play an important role in encouraging countries to live up to their pledges and commitments.  May’s parliament elections are proof of Iraq’s determination to form a national Government that unifies and reforms, and takes advantage of the country’s myriad resources.

The Government has also given clear instruction to the security forces to protect demonstrators, he said.  The people of Iraq need stability.  He expressed concern that women and children continue to suffer from terrorism.  Their suffering continues due to security challenges.  The Government is also focusing on reintegrating back into society women and children who had been persecuted by terrorists.  It is important to uphold the law, he stressed.  Iraq seeks to establish balanced relations with the international community and is focused on resolving all issues with neighbouring countries.

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SC/13463
23 AUGUST 2018
8330TH MEETING (PM)

ISIL Now ‘A Covert Global Network’ Despite Significant Losses, United Nations Counter-Terrorism Head Tells Security Council

Two Other Briefers, Delegates Focus on Threat of Returning, Relocating Terrorist Fighters

Despite suffering “significant” losses, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) has morphed from a regional group into a covert global network, with a weakened yet enduring core in Iraq and Syria, the head of United Nations counter-terrorism told the Security Council today.

Presenting the Secretary-General’s report (document S/2018/770), Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General in the United Nations Office of Counter‑Terrorism said the group’s evolution from a proto-State structure into a covert network has made it more difficult to detect and analyse because its financial-management functions have gone underground.  ISIL/Da’esh is still able to channel funds across borders and continues to expand in Afghanistan, projecting a growing threat into Central Asia, he added.

Stressing that United Nations counter-terrorism bodies have prioritized their responses to the return and relocation of foreign terrorist fighters, he called for greater international cooperation, better sharing of information, efforts to improve capacity, as well as advanced countermeasures matching the sophisticated technological methods used by terrorists.

Also briefing the Council were Michèle Coninsx, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, and Joana Cook, Senior Research Fellow with the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, at King’s College, London, both of whom underscored the importance of collective efforts.

Ms. Coninsx pointed out that, since the adoption of resolution 2178 (2014), the emphasis has shifted to fighters relocating or returning to their countries of origin or nationality, or to third countries.  Over the past six months, Member States and United Nations entities have developed innovative ways to address the threat through the use of advanced passenger information, name records systems, as well as biometrics, she added.

Ms. Cook said her research findings demonstrated that 41,490 foreign citizens across 80 countries have become affiliated with Da’esh.  One in four Da’esh fighters are women and minors — unprecedented numbers for a terrorist organization, she added.  “We believe this to be a vast underestimation based on current gaps in data.”  She said the group reached out to women through targeted and gendered recruitment, leveraging the sense of purpose and belonging offered by the “caliphate”.  The international community now has the opportunity to incorporate such data into efforts to counter violent extremism, she emphasized.

In the ensuing dialogue, delegates decried the continuing ability of ISIL/Da’esh, despite its losses, to take advantage of ungoverned spaces and weak States.  The United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs noted that the root causes of the group’s emergence have yet to be resolved, stressing the need to do more to support peace and reconciliation in Iraq and to reach a political solution in Syria.

The representative of the United States described ISIL as “a resilient enemy”, saying her country is working with partners to help rebuild in Iraq and Syria, restoring electricity and other services, and thereby allowing 150,000 Syrians to return to Raqqa.  Where force is necessary, the United States will deepen its partnerships with countries fighting terrorism, she pledged.

On that point, the Russian Federation’s representative underlined that all counter-terrorism efforts must be carried out with full respect for the sovereignty of States in which such crimes are alleged to have been committed.  The Russian Federation is cooperating in such efforts within Syria, with the full consent of that country’s Government, he emphasized, while calling attention to blatant violations of the arms embargo against ISIL fighters there.

Kuwait’s delegate commended United Nations efforts to engage technology companies in limiting Internet use for terrorist purposes, while Poland’s representative advocated focusing on identifying and addressing abuse of new payment modalities to finance terrorism, notably in countries where they are unregulated.  States must fulfil their obligations to freeze the assets of all entities on the ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida sanctions list, he stressed.

France’s delegate cited the development of pluralist, inclusive solutions in Iraq and Syria — with the goal of ending impunity for sexual slavery perpetrated against the Yazidi people — as another critical imperative.

Also speaking today were representatives of Bolivia, Netherlands, Peru, China, Kazakhstan, Sweden, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea.

The meeting began at 3:05 p.m. and ended at 5:20 p.m.

Briefings

VLADIMIR VORONKOV, Under-Secretary-General in the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, presented the Secretary-General’s seventh report on the threat posed by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), outlining a strategic-level threat assessment and an update on United Nations in support of counter‑terrorism efforts by Member States.  Touching on highlights of the report (document S/2018/770), he said that the so-called ISIL/Da’esh caliphate has been in headlong retreat in Syria since its defeat at the end of 2017.  Its membership, estimated at more than 20,000 in those countries, is split evenly between Iraq and Syria, with some fighters fully engaged militarily and others concealed in “sympathetic communities” and urban areas.  The group’s leadership has also decentralized to mitigate further losses, and is thus likely to survive in the two countries in the medium term, due to the ongoing conflict and complex stabilization challenges.

However, there were significant numbers of ISIL/Da’esh-affiliated fighters in Afghanistan, South-East Asia, West Africa, Libya, and to a lesser extent in Sinai, Yemen, Somalia and the Sahel, he said, describing the complex challenge posed by returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters.  While their flow into Iraq and Syria has come to a halt, the rising threat from ISIL’s global network will be diverse and hard to predict, he emphasized, warning, moreover, that the group’s evolution from a proto-State structure into a covert network poses new challenges.  ISIL/Da’esh finances in the Middle East, for example, are more difficult to detect and analyse because its financial management functions have gone underground.  Following structural changes, ISIL is still able to channel funds across borders, often through intermediate countries, he said.

ISIL’s influence around the world continues through its affiliates and intermediaries, he continued, recalling that the ISIL-linked Jammah Ansharut Daulah network in Indonesia launched a series of May suicide bombings that demonstrated a disturbing precedent of using families in perpetrating such violence.  He also expressed concern about the high volume of commercially encrypted messages in Europe and the radicalization in prisons.  “The international community must renew their efforts to effectively counter the rapidly evolving and transnational threat from ISIL,” he stressed.

He went on to state that the United Nations system is working to staunch the financing of terrorism and organized crime, while addressing border management, law enforcement, international judicial cooperation, prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration, in addition to both countering terrorist narratives and engaging communities.  Counter-terrorism bodies have prioritized their responses to the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighter, he said, noting that the Foreign Terrorist Fighters Capacity Building Implementation Plan — steered by the Counter-Terrorism Office and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate — has been streamlined to reflect the priorities identified in resolution 2396 (2017).

More broadly, international cooperation, sharing information and building capacity were critical, he said, underlining that the sophisticated methods employed by terrorists require similarly advanced counter-measures.  Describing his 14-15 August visit to Afghanistan, recounted his participation in a conference organized by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and his meeting with victims of terrorism.  In Kabul, he held consultations with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, among other senior officials, who emphasized the need to consider counter-terrorism efforts in the context of Afghanistan’s peace and reconciliation process.  They all proposed that Kabul host a high-level conference in 2019, he added, noting that the permanent Council members had expressed initial interest in that idea.

MICHÈLE CONINSX, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, said that, since the September 2014 adoption of Security Council resolution 2178 — which focuses on preventing foreign terrorist fighters from travelling to conflict zones, the emphasis has shifted to fighters who relocate or return to their countries of origin or nationality, or to third countries.  The number of returning and relocating fighters is therefore not as high as feared by some, but it still poses a range of challenges, including the difficulty of assessing risks associated with their relocation, as well as evidentiary and jurisdictional challenges to prosecuting them.  She noted that a significant number of fighters have entered national criminal justice systems, placing new demands on prisons and raising the risk of in-prison radicalization.

There is need for greater efforts to address such issues as prison capacity and security, she emphasized, while warning that States also face the potential risks posed by the forthcoming release of imprisoned foreign terrorist fighters.  They may re-engage in terrorist activities, she said, noting that many States are uncertain about the effectiveness of monitoring tools developed for such individuals.  Many such fighters have been given relatively short sentences, and may not have had sufficient opportunities to undergo rehabilitation and reintegration before their release.  Over the past six months, Member States and United Nations entities continue to develop innovative ways to address the threat, including the use of advanced passenger information and name records systems, as well as biometrics.  The United Nations system, including the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Office of Counter-Terrorism, continues to strengthen its coordination and coherence in assessing implementation gaps, identifying good practices and delivering the necessary technical assistance to Member States, she emphasized.

JOANA COOK, Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, King’s College, London, briefed Council members on a report she recently co-authored with Gina Vale, focusing on the strategic, tactical and operational engagement by ISIL/Da’esh of women and minors.  The problem is particularly critical in relation to that jihadist group, but is increasingly reflected in others, she said, emphasizing that it requires immediate and urgent engagement.  She said that her research findings demonstrated — for the first time and with evidence — that some 41,490 foreign citizens across 80 countries became affiliated with Da’esh.  Some 13 per cent of them are women and 12 per cent are minors, meaning that 1 in 4 Da’esh fighters are women and minors — unprecedented numbers for a terrorist organization.  “We believe this to be a vast underestimation based on current gaps in data,” she said, noting that of the 80 countries reviewed, only 26 publicly provide reliable figures on both women and minors.  “We still do not have a full understanding of the scale and scope of this concern.”

She said her research figures exclude women and minors prevented from travelling to Iraq and Syria, as well as local women and minors within the conflict zone who may have become affiliated with Da'esh — whether willingly or coercively.  Many women are drawn to Da’esh because it presents itself as an ideologically pure State-building project, she said, recalling that the group held and administered territory between 2014 and late 2017, giving women an opportunity — “a perceived stake” — as well as a sense of purpose in building its proto-State.  In addition, many of the diverse women Da’esh attracted expressed feelings of discrimination, oppression and disenfranchisement in the communities they left behind.  The group reached out to women through targeted and gendered recruitment efforts in its multilingual propaganda, utilising language and imagery that spotlighted women’s rights, empowerment and the sense of purpose and belonging offered by the “caliphate”.

She went on to note that ISIL/Da’esh also promised services ranging from free health care and education to marriage arrangements, among others.  It sought to promote the recruitment of minors within and beyond its territory, with the aim of raising “cubs” as future fighters and ideological guardians, while training boys in particular to engage in violence.  Young people drawn to Da’esh were also recruited through diverse methods and held varied roles.  While the fall of the physical “caliphate” represented a significant turning point, it was probably not the end of the group’s relevance or activities, but “only a period of evolution”.  Some 20 per cent of Da’esh fighters have returned to their home countries, but only a small percentage appears to be women and minors, she noted, adding:  “Women are poised to play an important role in carrying forward the ideology and legacy of Da’esh.”  Expressing concern that they may pass the ideology on to their children, she said that while some minors traumatized by the group’s violence have engaged in suicide attacks, many youth and women are unlikely to become security threats.  The international community now has the opportunity to incorporate such data into its efforts to counter violent extremism, as well as military, criminal justice, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, she said.

Statements

 

JEREMY HUNT, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom and Council President for August, speaking in his national capacity, emphasized:  “Da’esh has not been vanquished and the root causes of its emergence have yet to be resolved.”  Indeed, the group is evolving into a covert terrorist network, taking advantage of ungoverned spaces and weak States, he said, noting that its terrorists do not require central direction.  Some 900 of its members with links to the United Kingdom have joined the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, he added, stressing that the response should involve continuing military operations.  As a member of the anti-terrorism coalition, the United Kingdom led in the area of strategic communications against Da’esh, he said, noting that his country’s Government has committed £20 million to combat the threat in 2018.  Advocating a renewed focus on the root causes of ISIL’s emergence, he said that means doing more to support peace and reconciliation in Iraq and a political solution in Syria.  Recalling the adoption of resolution 2309 (2016), the first such text on aviation security, he said the Council should consider further action against terrorist use of the Internet for propaganda and fundraising.  For its part, the United Kingdom aimed to identify anyone at risk for radicalization, he said.  Having refined its “prevent” programme, it would share its experience with others, he added.

 

NIKKI R. HALEY (United States) noted her country’s rallying of a 77-member global coalition to defeat ISIS.  Working together, it helped Iraq declare its territory liberated from ISIL, and drove the group from much of its territory in Syria and Iraq.  “They are a resilient enemy,” she said.  “We do not want to give ISIL room to regroup.”  The United States is working with its partners to help victims rebuild in Iraq and Syria, while restoring electricity and other services and thereby allowing 150,000 Syrians to return to Raqqa.  That effort will continue thanks to $300 million in new stabilizing funds, she noted.  However, ISIL’s ideology has taken root in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Libya, Somalia and Sinai, she said, underlining the importance of denying the group safe haven.  In addition, Al‑Qaida leaders are still plotting attacks, notably in Syria and Yemen, and the United States has led the way in negotiating resolution 2396 (2017), intended to set the highest standards for disrupting the travel of foreign terrorist fighters.  She emphasized the importance of watch lists and biometrics in that context, while advocating full use of sanctions regimes.  Where force is necessary, the United States will deepen its partnerships with countries fighting terrorism, she pledged.

 

SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOLÍZ (Bolivia) expressed concern that terrorist groups continue to employ various recruitment means and narratives while improving their online coordination.  Emphasizing that religion or nationality must never be correlated with terrorism, or considered in counter-terrorism programmes, he said the return of foreign terrorist fighters to their home countries was a major international challenge.  Such fighters “do not appear all of a sudden”, but instead were influenced by such factors as poverty and vulnerability.  In that regard, he called for efforts to address all root causes of extremism, including regime-change policies and foreign interventions.  Spotlighting the links between terrorist groups and transnational criminal organizations, he said money‑laundering on the latter’s part helped to finance terrorist groups and allowed them to evade State control.  Both counter-terrorism and prevention mechanisms must be pursued in full respect for the sovereignty and independence of States, he said, underlining that all parties must act with urgency in that regard.

 

ANNE GUEGUEN (France) warned that, despite the loss of its territorial foothold, Da’esh had transformed into a global underground network, reflecting its ability to adapt continually.  Calling for scaled-up international efforts to prevent the resurgence of Da’esh, she said the development of pluralist, inclusive solutions in Iraq and Syria — with the goal of ending impunity for such crimes as the sexual slavery perpetrated against the Yazidi people, among others — is another critical imperative, as is the fight against terrorist financing.  Financial and legal frameworks, as well as cooperation with the private sector, should be continuously fine-tuned and enhanced.  Calling for efforts to combat the online activities still being conducted by terrorist groups, she said the relocation and return of foreign terrorist fighters, meanwhile, will require greater efforts to track and monitor at-risk individuals, in addition to stronger cooperation and sharing of information.

 

KAREL JAN GUSTAAF VAN OOSTEROM (Netherlands) said that, as ISIL morphs into a covert network, it is necessary to invest in financial intelligence and public‑private partnerships to counter the terrorist group’s financing.  As ISIL strengthens its affiliates around the world, the emphasis must be on prevention and the resilience of local communities, he said, adding that there is also a need to detect the return or relocation of ISIL fighters.  The Netherlands and the United States have collected good practices to address the challenges posed by the returning families of foreign terrorist fighters, especially practical guidelines to deal with women and children, he stated, emphasizing that ISIL fighters must be held accountable for their heinous actions.

FRANCISCO TENYA (Peru) said ISIL/Da’esh sought to use the Internet and social networks to encourage and mobilize its followers to carry out attacks, as well as to recruit resources and members.  Peru advocated strengthening policies to promote critical thinking in cyberspace, he said.  Citing the threat posed by returning foreign terrorist fighters, he stressed the need for comprehensive criminal justice strategies that respect human rights, due process and the gender perspective.  However, States must not overlook the role of prisons when foreign terrorist fighters enter judicial systems.  On financing, he urged States to strengthen financial intelligence systems and monitor the use of funds by terrorists.  Peru welcomed the progress made by the 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, he said, welcoming also the appointment of an Ombudsperson for the Al-Qaida and ISIL/Da’esh sanctions committee.

 

BADER ABDULLAH N. M. ALMUNAYEKH (Kuwait) said that, despite the diminishing threat of Da’esh in Iraq and Syria, the group continues to threaten international peace and security, having transformed from a regional entity into a covert global network whose finances are difficult to trace.  Returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters pose a threat to their home countries and third States alike, due to their military field expertise, he noted, advocating the exchange of relevant information.  Additionally, with terrorists using social networks, States must take measures to combat the spread of their ideology, he emphasized, while commending United Nations efforts to engage technology companies in limiting Internet use for terrorist purposes.  He urged States to take advantage of United Nations programmes, recalling in that context that the ministerial meeting of the coalition against Da’esh, hosted by Kuwait in February to formulate anti‑terrorism, was the first of its kind since the defeat of Da’esh in Iraq.

 

WU HAITAO (China) cited the tragic recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Syria, emphasizing that the international community must embark on a common and integrated strategy in accordance with the new and evolving characteristics of terrorism.  States must adhere to a unified standard, while ensuring full respect for the sovereignty and leadership of the countries concerned, and abiding by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.  Priority should be accorded to political solutions and development, he said, emphasizing the need to refrain from linking terrorism with any particular ethnic or religious groups, and to “endeavour to build “a new type of international relations” based on dialogue.  In addition, he urged countries to enhance the sharing of information, and to work together in combating online terrorist recruitment and other activities, including by developing strong cybersecurity policies and blocking terrorist organizations from spreading their narratives online.

 

JOANNA WRONECKA (Poland), acknowledging that Governments bear the primary responsibility for addressing the terrorist threat, encouraged support for the additional engagement of international, religious and civil society organizations, as well as academia and the private sector.  The fight against terrorism must be carried out in accordance with international human rights standards while addressing root causes, she emphasized.  Poland advocated a focus on preventing ISIL/Da’esh attacks while addressing abuse of payment modalities to finance terrorism, notably in countries where such systems are unregulated.  Furthermore, States must strengthen their financial intelligence and fulfil their obligations to freeze the assets of all entities on the ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida sanctions list.  Ensuring accountability and non-recurrence means stepping up the collection and sharing of data, she said, emphasizing also the importance of countering terrorist narratives and engaging communities, especially since women and girls are vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and sexual violence at the hands of terrorists.

KAIRAT UMAROV (Kazakhstan) described changing terrorist tactics as “low-cost” localized terrorism.  He said the weakening of ISIL/Da’esh has led to reorientation of the group’s supporters into an “autonomous jihad” in their places of residence, as well as the increased use of improvised explosive devices and drones in suicide attacks.  Exacerbating such tactics is the return of foreign terrorist fighters equipped with skills in mine and explosive warfare, as well as military operations in urban areas, he noted.  The greatest such threat in Central Asia is from the largest terrorist groups in northern Afghanistan, who, driven from Iraq, see the South Asian country as a springboard for the creation of a world caliphate, and hence, for the expansion of the so-called Wilayat Khorasan.  That group comprises foreign terrorist fighters, as well as former members of the Taliban, East Turkestan Islamic Movement and other groups, he said.  Furthermore, the authority of Al-Qaida and its regional branches is growing, and includes Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and Al-Qaida in the Indian Sub-continent.  Kazakhstan advocated halting drug trafficking and the illegal trade in natural resources, sharing best practices, enhancing the exchange of biometric information on terrorists, exchanging best practices on supressing terrorist ideas on the Internet, and proactive measures to counter self-radicalization.

 

CARL ORRENIUS SKAU (Sweden) highlighted national efforts to counter terrorism, including the establishment of the Swedish Centre to Prevent Violent Extremism in early 2018 to support municipal counter-terrorism activities.  In addition, localities have now appointed coordinators to engage in the prevention of violent extremism.  Sweden’s Ombudsman for Children presented a report on children’s direct and indirect involvement in violent extremism earlier in 2018, he said, noting that the document underscores the need to listen more to children’s experiences.  Municipalities are now implementing recommendations issued by social services about ways to deal with returnees and their families, he said.

MAHLET HAILU (Ethiopia) emphasized that “it is wise not to go overboard and declare victory over terror”.  The threat is, and will continue to be, a major challenge, especially in light of the transformation of ISIL/Da’esh from a territorial entity to a covert network.  Meanwhile, the activities of the group’s regional affiliates and the threat posed by returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters also remain serious.  Noting the heavy impact of terrorism and violent extremism on Africa, she expressed concern that affiliates and sympathizers of ISIL and Al-Qaida continue to pose serious threats to peace and security in the north and west of the continent, the Sahel region and East Africa.  The Al-Qaida affiliated Al-Shabaab group remains a potent threat in the Horn of Africa, a region also witnessing the emergence of ISIL affiliates operating in Somalia.  Meanwhile, ISIL in Libya represents a threat to that country and the wider region, she said, emphasizing that restoring peace and stability in Libya, Mali and the Lake Chad Basin is critical to denying safe haven to terrorist groups.  It will be critical to enhance the region’s capacity to counter terrorism, she stressed, spotlighting also the need to “get the management of security right in Somalia” as security leadership transitions from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to the Somali forces.

 

KACOU HOUADJA LÉON ADOM (Côte d’Ivoire) said that despite military and strategic setbacks, Da’esh continues to threaten global peace and security, morphing into a nebula of affiliates who are leveraging information and communications technologies, making it all the more difficult to combat recruitment and dissemination of the group’s propaganda.  He expressed concern that many Da’esh affiliates are active in Somalia, the Sahel, West Africa, Egypt and Libya, the latter hosting 3,000 to 4,000 terrorist fighters.  Citing the increasingly sophisticated armed attacks by terrorists, which obstructed the free movement of goods and people, he underscored the importance of allocating funds to combat that asymmetric threat, while calling for solidarity and cooperation among all stakeholders, and for strengthening national and regional capacities.

 

JOB OBIANG ESONO MBENGONO (Equatorial Guinea) said the transformation of Da’esh into a covert network was facilitated by local affiliates, women and youth, as well as the deplorable tactic of suicide attacks.  Meanwhile, the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, as well as links with criminal networks, are being seen across various regions of the African continent.  Describing mass displacement and the ongoing crisis in Libya as among the factors driving such challenges, he called for stronger cooperation between the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Office of Counter-terrorism, while reiterating the need to respect national sovereignty in all counter-terrorism efforts.  Equally critical are efforts to stamp out “safe havens and blind spots” in the fight against terrorism and to identify regions and States in which the implementation of counter-terrorism resolutions remains limited.  Emphasizing the need to address the root causes of terrorism, he called for more investment in sustainable and equitable development, as well as peacebuilding.

VASSILY A. NEBENZYA (Russian Federation) said that while ISIL’s “Tower of Babel has fallen to pieces”, its leadership is now finding new sources of financing and logistical support.  Terrorists are striving to invest in such legal sectors as tourism, agriculture, pharmacology and construction, while also working to take control of narcotic flows from Afghanistan.  Noting that the Secretary‑General’s report demonstrates the Syrian army’s success in combating ISIL, with more than 400 towns and cities liberated, he nevertheless warned that “sleeper cells” still pose a threat, adding that there is evidence of the group’s increasing activities in provinces bordering Central Asian States.  Calling for accountability on the part of any actor providing direct or indirect support to terrorist fighters — and for all counter-terrorism process to be conducted with full respect for the sovereignty of States in which such crimes are alleged to have been committed — he said the Russian Federation is cooperating in such efforts on Syrian soil, with the full consent of the that country’s Government.  He also spotlighted blatant violations of the arms embargo against ISIL fighters in that country, saying there was “mounting evidence” of arms shipments from abroad and even support from some Member States.

https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sc13463.doc.htm

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Middle East

UN removes 17 Iraqi 'entities' from Saddam-inspired sanctions since June

3 hours ago
 

UN removes 17 Iraqi 'entities' from Saddam-inspired sanctions since June
United Nations headquarters in New York. (Photo: Archive)
 
 

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has recently stepped up a process of removing various Iraqi individuals, companies, and institutions from sanctions imposed on them in 2003 for having perceived connections to ousted leader Saddam Hussein.

The sanctions sought to freeze assets of over 200 “entities” and went into effect days after the controversial UNSC Resolution 986 in place since 1995, known as the “Oil for Food” program, was discontinued. They were enacted after a UN committee was set up to investigate financial assets that were thought to have been removed from the country by those connected to the former Iraqi president.

For a decade and a half, the UN intermittently announced the removal of one or two entities from the list with months or years passing between them. In June, the pace picked up, and 17 have been taken off the list between then and the beginning of October.

At this point, the announcements appear to be of largely symbolic importance, since such high-profile government agencies as the Central Bank of Iraq, which implements Iraq’s monetary policy, holds its reserves of gold, and issues its money, remained on the list until this June.

On Aug. 29, former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi confirmed that Baghdad was planning to send a delegation to the United States to seek an agreement granting it exemptions from Washington’s current sanctions on Tehran. He said this was needed because Iraq’s economy is highly interlinked with, and dependent on, Iran’s.

“We have presented a clear vision of what Iraq really needs,” Abadi said during his weekly press conference in Baghdad. “This includes Iranian (natural) gas, which is very important, as well as other trade and the electricity sector.”

The Iraqi prime minister also called the economic embargoes on Iran “unilateral” and “oppressive,” adding that his country would not be “part of a blockade” due to its own bitter experience with sanctions.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

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2018/10/15 17:09
  • Number of readings 40
  • Section: Iraq
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Election of Iraq as Vice-President of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq has been elected as vice-president of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime on October 15, 2018, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement .

"The obelisk" publishes the text of the statement:

Iraq was elected today as Vice-President of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime at the ninth session at United Nations Headquarters in Vienna.

The Iraqi charge d'affaires in Vienna, Muthanna al-Nashi, was chosen for this position. This post is a high position added to the positions that Iraq has won in international forums.

 

Follow the obelisk

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/153124/انتخاب-العراق-نائبا-لرئيس-مؤتمر-الأطراف-باتفاقية-الأمم-المتحدة-لمكافحة-الجريمة-المنظمة

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  • yota691 changed the title to Kuwait says it has recovered the remains of 236 missing in Iraq
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