MOSCOW, November 14 (Sputnik) – The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group operating in Syria and Iraq is deliberately perpetrating crimes against humanity, a report published by the UN commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic Friday said.
The paper, based on over 300 first-hand victim and witness accounts, details executions, torture, sexual abuse, enslavement and other inhuman acts perpetrated by IS, also known as ISIS or ISIL, on the territories it controls in Syria.
“The abuses, violations and crimes committed by ISIS against Syrians have been deliberate and calculated… The commanders of ISIS have acted willfully, perpetrating these war crimes and crimes against humanity with clear intent of attacking persons with awareness of their civilian or hors de combat status,” the report said.
The UN commission underlined that Islamic State is a coordinated, well organized group seeking to achieve a common goal.
“Since its establishment, ISIS has acted toward a common purpose. The level of organization, character of its ranks and membership, and long-term vision indicate a cohesive and coordinated group. The military operations carried out by ISIS have been motivated by the group’s desire to seize natural resources in northeastern Syria and to subdue the civilian population living in areas under its control,” the report said.
The surge in extremism in Syria is a result of the international community and Damascus delaying the political process, the commission stressed, adding that “an inclusive and Syrian-led political process with a view to full implementation of the Geneva Communique of 30 June 2012” is essential for reaching a sustainable solution to the conflict.
IS has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012. In June 2014, the group extended its attacks to northern and western Iraq, declaring a caliphate on the territories over which it had control.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established by the Human Rights Council in 2011. It investigates all alleged violations of international human rights law in Syria.
