On Thursday 15 December, the European Parliament urged the international community, in particular the United Nations Security Council, to consider the mass graves that have been reported in Iraq as new proof of genocide, and to bring Daesh before the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to Human Rights Watch, at least 300 police officers are reported to have been executed in Mosul by Daesh in mid-November, and their bodies thrown into a mass grave.
In the resolution from the ECR, EFDD, Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL, EPP, ALDE and S&D Groups, MEPs call on Iraq to become a member of the ICC in order to enable proceedings against Daesh for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The MEPs unreservedly condemn the continued atrocities and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and human rights committed by Daesh.
The Parliament calls on the Iraqi authorities to take the necessary measures to protect the graves and the proof of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Daesh, so that it might assume responsibility for them.
In addition, MEPs reiterate their support to the Iraqi army, to the global anti-Daesh coalition, to the Peshmergas and their allies in their efforts to liberate Mosul and other parts of the country from Daesh. They also call for concrete measures to be taken to protect civilians during the campaign. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)