Security Council Unanimously Renews UNITAD’s Mandate

15 September 2022, New York: The United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD) through resolution 2651.

Resolution 2651 renewed UNITAD’s mandate until 17 September 2023, first established by resolution 2379 (2017) upon the request of the Government of Iraq.

Special Adviser and Head of UNITAD Christian Ritscher welcomed the renewal of the Team’s mandate as testament to the international community’s commitment to the mission of UNITAD, adding that “the Team will continue its work, in cooperation with the Government of Iraq and Member States, to serve our common goal of advancing justice for victims and survivors of ISIL’s international crimes.” He reiterated that: “Iraq as well as all members of the Security Council showed again their unwavering support to UNITAD and its investigations, as a leading entity in the quest for accountability for ISIL heinous acts, which may amount for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.”

Special Adviser Ritscher will continue to report the developments and progress of the Team’s investigations to the Security Council every 180 days. In the 8th report (June 2022), the Special Adviser highlighted the progress made in multiple investigations and the strong partnership between the Team and the Government of Iraq. Outlining future priority areas for the work of the Team, the Special Adviser explained that UNITAD is expanding its investigations into a number of key areas, including investigations of crimes committed in Mosul as the capital of the so-called “caliphate” in Iraq, as well as ISIL’s destruction of cultural heritage and its use of chemical weapons.

UNITAD remains resolute in building partnerships with Iraqi authorities and victim communities, as well as concerned third states, while ensuring that the information and evidence it collects and preserves, in line with international standards, is admissible in court. 

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For More Information please contact Public Information Officer (Maha Thaher) for the

United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL,

E-mail: UNITAD-PIO@un.org