People Attempting To Flee From ISIL-Controlled Areas Face Violent Clampdown

People who are attempting to flee ISIL-controlled areas in Iraq, particularly through the Hamrin mountain chain in north-eastern Iraq, are facing a 'violent clampdown', according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which has received reports that ISIL gunmen have set ambushes for people fleeing areas they control and that ISIL snipers have reportedly attacked and killed those who have been caught.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for OHCHR, says that an increasing number of people have been attempting to escape, taking a very difficult journey from areas like Shirqat and Hawija through the Hamrin mountains and onto Tikrit, Al-Alam and Kirkuk.

She says that at least four families, including children and elderly people, reportedly died earlier this month after attempting the journey without a guide and with few supplies. The journey takes eight to 12 hours in very hot weather through uninhabited areas without signage or paved roads, with people under constant threat of attack. In one incident, three taxi drivers were reportedly executed between 10 and 12 July in Shirqat, apparently for assisting people in making the passage through Hamrin. There are also reports that many other families were abducted by ISIL en route to Tikrit and Al-Alam.

OHCHR says that ISIL has continued to viciously target those perceived to be opposed to its ideology and rule, with despicable violence. On 20 July, the group reportedly publicly killed an Imam in western Mosul following a decision by a self-appointed so-called court.

The Imam was abducted on 17 July, allegedly for having criticised ISIL. On 13 July, four Imams from Qayyara sub-district were allegedly executed for performing taraweehprayers, which are not authorised by ISIL. On 10 July, ISIL reportedly killed nine people in central Mosul by running a bulldozer over them. A radio station broadcast the reasons for their killing, including that they allegedly provided information and collaborated with the Iraqi Security Forces and Peshmerga.

OHCHR says that any intentional direct attack against civilians is considered a serious violation of international humanitarian law and called on all parties in the conflict in Iraq to ensure that civilians are protected, that they have unhindered access to medical facilities and humanitarian assistance, and that they are able to leave areas affected by violence, safely and with dignity.

However, Ravina Shamdasani says that her office is well aware that this message may fall on deaf ears within ISIL: "They are producing thousands upon thousands of victims on a monthly basis, of all sorts of human rights violations. We have to speak out, whether they listen or not, we have to continue to speak out, and hope that we will have some impact on some of the people who may potentially be recruited by ISIL or some other people who are currently working with them. We certainly cannot remain silent in the face of this."


STORY: GENEVA / IRAQ HUMAN RIGHTS
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 28 JULY 2015, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

SHOTLIST:

1. Exterior, Palais des Nations
2. Wide shot, press briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:
"We have received reports that suggest a violent clampdown on people who are attempting to flee ISIL-controlled areas in Iraq, particularly through the Hamrin mountain chain in north-eastern Iraq. An increasing number of people have been attempting to escape, taking a very difficult journey from areas like Shirqat and Hawija through the Hamrin mountains and onto Tikrit, Al-Alam and Kirkuk."
4. Med shot, journalists
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:
"Any intentional direct attack against civilians is considered a serious violation of international humanitarian law. All parties must take all feasible precautions to ensure that civilians are protected, that they have unhindered access to medical facilities and humanitarian assistance, and that they are able to leave areas affected by violence – safely and with dignity."
6. Close up, journalists
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:
"They are producing thousands upon thousands of victims on a monthly basis, of all sorts of human rights violations. We have to speak out, whether they listen or not, we have to continue to speak out, and hope that we will have some impact on some of the people who may potentially be recruited by ISIL or some other people who are currently working with them. We certainly cannot remain silent in the face of this."
8. Wide shot, journalists
9. Close up, journalists
DURATION: 01:28