United Nations Security Council Resolution 2233 – Iraq

Resolution 2233 (2015)

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions on Iraq, in particular 1500 (2003), 1546 (2004), 1557 (2004), 1619 (2005), 1700 (2006), 1770 (2007), 1830 (2008), 1883 (2009), 1936 (2010), 2001 (2011), 2061 (2012), 2110 (2013), 2169 (2014), and resolution 2107 (2013) on the situation between Iraq and Kuwait,

Reaffirming the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq,

Emphasizing the importance of the stability and security of Iraq for the people of Iraq, the region, and the international community,

Expressing grave concern at the current security situation in Iraq as a result of a large-scale offensive carried out by terrorist groups, in particular the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), (also known as Da’esh) and associated armed groups, involving violations of international humanitarian law, heavy civilian casualties, including women and children, the displacement of more than three million Iraqi civilians, use of sexual violence against and the sexual enslavement of women and girls, threats against all religious and ethnic groups, and the threat to the safety of journalists, media professionals, and associated personnel; condemning the attacks perpetrated by these terrorist groups and associated armed groups against the people of Iraq in an attempt to destabilize the country and region, and reiterating its commitment to Iraq’s security and territorial integrity,

Noting that the presence of ISIL on Iraq’s sovereign territory is a major threat to Iraq’s future, underscoring that the only way to address this threat is for all Iraqis to work together by addressing needs in the security as well as the political realm, stressing the long-term solution to the instability will require the political leadership of Iraq to make decisions that will unite the country, and emphasizing the importance of the international community supporting Iraq in this regard,

Calling on all political entities to overcome divisions and work together in an inclusive and timely political process aimed at strengthening Iraq’s national unity, sovereignty and independence; and for Iraq’s leaders to engage in dialogue that would contribute to finding a viable and sustainable solution to the country’s current challenges; and reaffirming its belief that through its democratic institutions, in cooperation with Iraqi society, Iraq can work to address the challenges facing the country for the benefit of all Iraqis,

Underscoring the need for all segments of the Iraqi population to participate in the political process, in inclusive political dialogue, and in the economic and social life of Iraq, to refrain from statements and actions which could aggravate tensions, to reach a comprehensive solution on the fair distribution of resources, and to promote stability, develop a just and fair solution for the nation’s disputed internal boundaries and work to strengthen national unity, and stressing the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive Iraqi-led political process to support dialogue for all those who renounce violence, have no links to international terrorist organizations including ISIL, and respect the constitution,

Encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue strengthening governance, promoting human rights and the rule of law, improving the situation of women and girls, especially those impacted by ISIL, improving security and public order, combating terrorism and sectarian violence, and reiterating its support to the people and the Government of Iraq in their efforts to build a secure, stable, federal, united and democratic nation, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights,

Expressing grave concern for the more than three million individuals se eking refuge in other areas of Iraq, reiterating its gratitude to the host communities, underscoring that host communities should provide access to safe areas for internally displaced people, emphasizing the urgency of addressing humanitarian issues confronting the Iraqi people, stressing the need to continue to plan and implement a coordinated response and to provide adequate resources to address these issues, calling for an intensification of these efforts by all parties and urging all Member States to continue to fund the UN humanitarian appeals, encouraging Member States to support the United Nations’ humanitarian response in Iraq, working with the Government of Iraq, to assist all Iraqi individuals affected by the ongoing conflict, and commending the efforts of Member States that have contributed to the humanitarian effort,

Emphasizing the need to continue efforts to promote international and regional cooperation aimed at supporting Iraq both in its reconciliation and political dialogue and in its fight against ISIL, and to prevent terrorist groups included on the sanctions list established by the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011), in particular ISIL, from using the territories of Iraq and neighbouring States to carry out violence or other illicit acts to destabilize Iraq and the region, expressing its readiness to sanction further individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities who are supporting ISIL, also expressing grave concern over reports of access to and seizure of oilfields and pipelines in Iraq by terrorist groups listed by the Committee, strongly condemning any engagement in direct or indirect trade in oil and refined oil products, modular refineries and related material, other natural resources, and antiquities from Iraq involving these terrorist groups, consistent with Security Council Resolution 2199 (2015), and emphasizing that such engagement constitutes financial support for such terrorists and may lead to further sanctions listings by the Committee,

Reaffirming the importance of the United Nations, in particular the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in advising, supporting and assisting the Iraqi people, including civil society, and Government to strengthen democratic institutions, advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation according to the Constitution, facilitate regional dialogue, develop processes acceptable to the Government of Iraq to resolve disputed internal boundaries, aid youth and vulnerable groups including refugees and internally displaced persons, promote the protection of human rights, gender equality, children and youth, and vulnerable groups, and emphasizing the importance of the United Nations, in particular UNAMI, prioritizing advice, support, and assistance to the Iraqi people, including civil society, and Government to achieve these goals,Further expressing grave concern that the violent extremism and terrorism perpetrated by ISIL in Iraq has frequently targeted women and girls, and that ISIL has committed serious human rights abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law against women and children, including those involving murder, kidnapping, hostage taking, enslavement, their sale into or otherwise forced marriage, human trafficking, rape, sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence, and expressing grave concern at the recruitment and use of children by ISIL and other armed groups in violation of international law,

Encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue in its efforts to promote and protect the rights of women and reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), 1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), and 2122 (2013) on women, peace, and security and reiterating the need for the full, equal, and effective participation of women; reaffirming the key role women can play in re -establishing the fabric of society and stressing the need for their full political participation, including in peace processes, political decision making, and the development of national strategies, in order to take into account their perspectives, and looking forward to the full implementation, including funding, of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Security Council resolution 1325 (2000),

Reaffirming that all parties should continue to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of affected civilians, including children, women and members of religious and ethnic minority groups, and should create conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons or local integration of internally displaced persons, particularly in areas newly-liberated from ISIL, and to promote stabilization activities and long-term sustainable development, welcoming commitments and encouraging continued efforts of the Government of Iraq for the relief of internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees, noting the important role of the Office of the United Na tions High Commissioner for Refugees, based on its mandate, in providing continued advice and support to the Government of Iraq, in coordination with UNAMI, on these issues, and encouraging the Government of Iraq to continue working with UNAMI and humanitarian agencies to ensure the delivery of humanitarian relief to those in need,

Urging the Government of Iraq to continue to promote and protect human rights and also to consider additional steps to support the Independent High Commission for Human Rights in carrying out its mandate, and reaffirming that all parties, including ISIL, associated armed groups, and militias, must respect human rights and abide by all applicable obligations under international humanitarian law, including those protecting the civilian population, by which both official Iraqi forces and member states that assist them must also abide,

Reaffirming that all States shall ensure that any person who participates in the financing, planning, preparation, or perpetration of terrorist acts or in supporting terrorist acts is brought to justice,

Urging all those concerned to allow full unimpeded access by humanitarian personnel to all people in need of assistance, and to make available, as far as possible, all necessary facilities for their operations, and to promote the safety, security, and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel and United Nations staff, its associated personnel and their assets, and also to respect and protect health care workers and medical transport and facilities,

Condemning the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq particularly by ISIL, including targeted destruction of religious sites and objects and noting with concern that ISIL and other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, are generating income from engaging directly or indirectly in the looting and smuggling of cultural heritage items from archaeological sites, museums, libraries, archives, and other sites in Iraq, which is being used to support their recruitment efforts and strengthen their operational capability to organize and carry out terrorist attacks,

Recognizing that the situation that now exists in Iraq is significantly different from that which existed at the time of the adoption of resolution 661 (1990), and further recognizing the importance of Iraq achieving international standing equal to that which it held prior to the adoption of resolution 661 (1990),

Expressing deep gratitude to all the United Nations staff in Iraq for their courageous and tireless efforts, and commending the leadership and good offices role of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ján Kubiš,

1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) until July 31, 2016;

2. Decides further that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNAMI, at the request of the Government of Iraq, and taking into account the letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq to the Secretary-General (S/2015/520), shall continue to pursue their mandate as stipulated in resolution 2169 (2014); and recalls the provisions of resolution 2107 (2013);

3. Welcomes the recommendation of the Secretary-General in his latest report (S/2015/530) to revise and prioritize the tasks of UNAMI, requests the Secretary-General, in full consultations with the Government of Iraq, to report back in further detail about such recommendation to the Security Council within the next 90 days;

4. Recognizes that security of United Nations personnel is essential for UNAMI to carry out its work for the benefit of the people of Iraq and calls upon the Government of Iraq to continue to provide security and logistical support to the United Nations presence in Iraq;

5. Welcomes the contributions of Member States in providing UNAMI with the financial, logistical, and security resources and support that it needs to fulfil its mission and calls upon Member States to continue to provide UNAMI with sufficient resources and support;

6. Expresses its intention to review the mandate of UNAMI in twelve months or sooner, if requested by the Government of Iraq;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every three months on the progress made towards the fulfilment of all UNAMI’s responsibilities;

8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 7495th meeting, on 29 July 2015.