Security Council
8606th Security Council Meeting: Situation Concerning Iraq
The leadership of Iraq is hard at work building on progress made since the territorial defeat of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), but the recent flare-up in regional tensions could potentially undermine ongoing efforts to restore stability and prosperity, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in that country warned the Security Council today.
“We should be lucid and recognize that current tensions could well deal a huge blow to all national and international endeavours to rebuild a stable and prosperous Iraq,” said the Special Representative, who heads the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Speaking by video-teleconference from The Hague, she said Iraq’s leaders are tirelessly engaging regional and international actors to ensure that the country does not become a venue for proxy conflicts.
Concerning the return of ISIL fighters and family members from Syria, she said their numbers remain unclear, but cautioned that the issue could potentially impact Iraq, the wider region and beyond if not addressed in a suitable manner. She emphasized the importance of robust safeguards for detention, due process and fair trials, pointing out that many communities still feel marginalized and vulnerable to extremist messages.
On the domestic front, the Government needs time to fight narrow partisan interests and political parties, among other actors, she said, urging those actors to agree that Iraq’s interests must come first. A federal Cabinet has been formed, albeit with no women appointees, and the Kurdish Regional Government is also up and running, she said, adding that expectations are high, with particular regard to such key dossiers as Kirkuk, Sinjar and the sharing of oil revenues.
She went on to express concern over the underfinancing of the Funding Facility for Stabilization and the Humanitarian Response Plan by more than $300 million and $500 million respectively. Such shortfalls are hindering Iraq’s post-conflict humanitarian programming, she said, noting that, although 4.3 million people have returned home, acute needs persist in the health, electricity and water sectors. Noting that the daunting challenges confronting Iraq did not arise overnight, she emphasized that they are also not solely the result of Iraqi actions. As such, they will not be resolved tomorrow, she said, adding: “Iraqis must press ahead in unity and with an engaged international community at their side.”
In the ensuing debate, Council members agreed on the importance of sustained international support for security sector reform and for preventing a resurgence of terrorism in Iraq. Several delegates expressed concern over the absence of women from the newly formed federal Cabinet and other decision-making positions. Many also addressed humanitarian concerns, including the return of 1.6 million internally displaced persons, the fate of foreign terrorist fighters and their families, and the fate of Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and assets missing since the first Gulf War.
Kuwait’s representative acknowledged Iraq’s efforts in locating the remains of those missing since the 1991 Gulf War and returning stolen property, including tens of thousands of books. He said that the Special Representative’s announcement that human remains exhumed in March were confirmed to be those of missing Kuwaitis sparked hope that the fate of more missing persons will be revealed so that the issue can eventually be resolved.
Belgium’s representative said Iraq is at a turning point, emphasizing that the country needs an inclusive Government with robust institutions and women in key decision-making positions. He went on to state that, as Chair of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, Belgium encourages the Government to come up with an action plan that would lead to Iraq’s delisting from the Secretary-General’s annual report on the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
China’s representative, agreeing that Iraq is at a critical stage, stressed that all parties must respect its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, the international community should maintain its support for inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, while also helping Iraq in its pursuit of a development path compatible with its national conditions.
The Russian Federation’s representative emphasized the vital importance for the region of stabilizing Iraq. Welcoming the Government’s focus on national reconciliation and economic reconstruction, he also stressed the importance of good neighbourliness and commended Iraq’s efforts to mend relations with Kuwait. The Russian Federation will continue to help the Iraqi armed forces deliver security, he said, while also warning that rising tensions in the Persian Gulf could have a negative impact on Iraq.
On the other hand, the representative of the United States said that, in light of Iran’s support for militias destabilizing Iraq, the latter should replace them with Government forces, stressing that the Government has the right to control its own security.
Iraq’s representative emphasized that his country is keen to develop relationships with its Arab neighbours and also attaches importance to its ties with Iran and Turkey. Concerning Da’esh, he said the current task is to deal with that terrorist group’s legacy by intensifying efforts to deal with foreign terrorist fighters, the widows and wives of terrorists, as well as child recruits and children born as a result of rape. The problem of foreign terrorist fighters affects everyone, he emphasized, warning that, if mismanaged, it could create fertile ground for a new generation of terrorists. He went on to request that the international community respect Iraq’s sovereignty and support its efforts to hold terrorists accountable through a judicial system that will apply due process in a transparent and professional manner. “My Government is working on sending a clear signal to neighbouring countries that the stability and security of Iraq is a common interest,” he said, stressing that his country cannot tolerate more tension in the region.
Also speaking were representatives of Germany, Dominican Republic Côte d’Ivoire, Peru, France, Equatorial Guinea, United Kingdom, Indonesia, South Africa and Poland.
The meeting began at 10:05 a.m. and ended at 11:58 a.m.
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