South African Government assessment of the situation in Iraq where attacks by the growing terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State) include the beheading of children and adults and the live burial of persons
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National Assembly
For Oral Reply
Question No. 18 (NO1059E)
Published in the internal Question Paper no: 9-2014 of 19 August 2014
Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(a) What is the Government’s assessment of the situation in Iraq where attacks by the growing terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State) include the beheading of children and adults and the live burial of persons and
(b) How does the Government intend to respond? NO1059E
REPLY
(a) The South African Government views the unfolding events in Iraq in a very serious light, especially the heinous barbaric criminal actions of the so-called Islamic State, which amount to gross violations of human rights and ethnic and religious cleansing that is contrary to the United Nations Human Rights Charter and therefore constitute crimes against humanity.
Moreover, the South African Government is deeply concerned about the spillover of the conflict and violence resulting from increased terrorist activities of IS to the neighboring countries, especially Syria, as it is currently the case and the region as a whole.
(b) The South African Government joins all peace loving and progressive Nations in condemning in the strongest terms these barbaric and terrorist acts of the so-called Islamic State and calls for support to the Government and people of Iraq in their fight against this terrorist scourge.
The Government also re-iterates the Fortaleza Declaration of the Sixth BRICS Summit of July 15, 2014, which emphasizes strong support for the Iraqi government in its efforts to overcome the crises, uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity”, as well as urging “all regional and global players to refrain from interference that will further deepen the crisis and to support the Iraqi government and the people of Iraq in their efforts to overcome the crisis and build a stable, peaceful, inclusive and united Iraq.
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