Special Adviser Karim A. A. Khan QC meets with H.E. Filip Vanden Bulcke, Kingdom of Belgium’s Ambassador to Iraq

Special Adviser Karim A. A. Khan QC met with H.E. Filip Vanden Bulcke, Kingdom of Belgium’s Ambassador to Iraq this afternoon. The Special Adviser took the opportunity to brief the ambassador on the ongoing work of UNITAD in the field, particularly with regards to its investigations and efforts to collect evidence in relation to the crimes of Da’esh in Iraq.

 

This meeting touched upon ways UNITAD can provide support to the Belgium authorities in relation to their national effort to hold Da’esh suspects accountable. Ongoing discussions with regards to the provision of expert Belgium support to the Investigative Team was also highlighted.

 

The Special Adviser presented Ambassador Bulcke with a copy of the landmark interfaith statement that Christian, Shia, Sunni and Yazidi religious leaders adopted and endorsed on support for victims of ISIL.

 

He highlighted the significance of the unified manner in which different religious leaders came together to denounce ISIL ideology as absolutely repugnant to the core religious teachings that they represent.

 

He also noted that through the statement, religious leaders underlined how essential it is to hold ISIL members accountable for their crimes as a prerequisite to stability.