GENEVA -- China on Wednesday stressed its ongoing commitment towards the international community in combating terrorist threats, proposing that "new measures should be adopted to counter the threats."
During an interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in Iraq, Ren Yisheng, Minister Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of China to the UN at Geneva, stated that China "strongly condemned the atrocities committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other terrorist groups against Iraqi minorities."
Ren also reasserted China's continued support towards Iraq in the country's fight to safeguard its national sovereignty and protect its population in light of a deteriorating situation.
Flavia Pansieri, United NationsDeputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the human rights violations in Iraq as being "shockingly widespread and extremely severe," with a range of violations perpetrated by ISIL and affiliated groups on a daily basis against ethnic and religious minorities.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, 2014 was the deadliest year the country has witnessed since 2007. Crimes committed by ISIL include summary executions, sexual violence, forced conscription and indoctrination of targeted populations.
A total of three million Iraqis have had to flee their homes, among which two million were displaced in 2014 alone.
