At the event (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Counsellor Minister and Deputy Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the UN Nguyen Phuong Tra hailed recent investigation progress andoutcomes obtained by the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability forCrimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD) despite COVID-19-related difficulties at anUN Security Council (UNSC) meeting held on December 10.
At the virtualmeeting that discussed an UNITAD report on its operation in the past sixmonths, the Vietnamese Ambassador lauded constructive cooperation betweenUNITAD and the Iraqi government.
Expressingher concern over attacks by Daesh or the proclaimed Islamic State (IS) targetingcivilians and foreign representative offices in Iraq, Tra requested the teamcontinue focusing on its strategic priorities; strengthening cooperation withthe Iraqi government, regional and local authorities and religious leaders; andapplying all procedures and measures on the protection of victims andwitnesses.
Vietnamcalls for the international community’s increasing support toward the UNITAD inhelping the team carry out its mission in line with international law, UNSCresolutions and principles of the UN Charter, including those on respectingIraq’s territorial sovereignty, integrity, and unity, she said.
Deliveringa report at the meeting, Karim Khan, UN Special Adviser and Head of the UNITAD,highlighted important steps in collecting new sources of evidence on the IScrimes, particularly targeting children and women, as well as in collaboratingwith the Iraqi government, including the training of investigation skills forIraqi judges.
Laudingsuch progresses, many participating member states pledged their furthercommitments to supporting UNITAD’s operation based on UNSC resolutions and inline with the Iraqi law.
Establishedin September 2017, UNITAD began operations in August, 2018. Currently, it hasabout 130 experts, investigators, security staff and others./.
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