Following attack on Russian diplomats, UN Iraq mission decries violence

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) today voiced deep concern about continuing acts of violence committed against innocent civilians in the country – most recently the deadly attack on the Russian Embassy.

“We condemn these outrageous crimes, and demand that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice,” mission officials said in a statement.

Reacting against the almost daily occurrence of such high levels of violence, “from which even houses of worship are not immune,” UNAMI noted that they are having a severely adverse impact on the fabric of society.

Major urban centers such as Basra and other towns have been the scene of frequent killings, kidnapping, torture and extortion, the mission noted. “These developments weaken public confidence in law and order maintenance and underline the urgent priority that needs to be given to strengthening the rule of law and human rights protections systems.”

On the political front, UNAMI welcomed the new Government's stated intention to give the highest priority to the maintenance of public security and law and order, while strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights for all Iraqis.