A UN mission to help Iraq investigate Islamic State (ISIS) genocide and war crimes is being forced to shut down before finishing its investigation after a worsening of its relationship with the Iraqi government, Reuters reported.
The chief of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD), Christian Ritscher, told Reuters more time was needed to complete its investigation, which includes projects like creating an archive for evidence.
The mission was established in 2017 and has contributed to at least three convictions on charges of genocide and other crimes in Germany and Portugal.
Farhad Alaaldin, the foreign affairs advisor to the Iraqi prime minister, told Reuters UNITAD had not successfully cooperated with Iraqi authorities and was no longer needed. He said UNITAD had not responded to requests to share evidence.
Ritscher said Iraq had not passed legislation to hold ISIS members accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Instead, most convictions in Iraq are for membership in a terrorist organization, according to Reuters, which also noted UNITAD was reluctant to share evidence with Iraqi authorities because of Iraq’s use of the death penalty.
Activists and diplomats are concerned the evidence so far gathered by UNITAD could be misused by Iraq in trials with little due process but believe the evidence could also be beneficial to holding ISIS members accountable for specific crimes.
UNITAD’s mission is due to end in mid-September 2024.
