KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy asserts that “targeting civilians represents a violation of international law”

In regard to the recent missile attack on Erbil, the KRG has officially declared that a number of civilians lost their lives during the assault on the night of December 15-16, 2024. Dindar Zebari, the KRG Coordinator of International Advocacy, expressed in a statement that this attack constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of a UN member state and is a blatant violation of human rights and international principles.

Erbil has been subjected to a series of drone and missile attacks, with the latest incident on the aforementioned night resulting in the tragic loss of civilian lives and property damages.

The ongoing attacks on Erbil pose a direct threat to the lives and peace of its civilians, representing a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 598 of 1987, which pertains to the ceasefire between the Iraqi Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Simultaneously, it constitutes an infringement on the principles outlined in UN General Assembly Resolution 103/36 of 9 December.

In adherence to international conventions and agreements, foreign governments are urged to distance themselves from any attacks on a sovereign nation, regardless of the pretexts they may employ to justify their malign intentions.

The missile attack on Erbil and the targeting of civilians are against the overarching principles of international law and violate the provisions of international human rights conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to life and safety, safeguarding the well-being and property of citizens.

Also, citing Article 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Arab League, such acts are recognized as violations of human rights, necessitating the prosecution of perpetrators and compensation for the harm inflicted on civilians.

In accordance with the UN Charter, disputes between nations must be resolved through peaceful means such as dialogue, investigation, mediation, legal processes, or referral to regional agencies and organizations. The UN Security Council is urged to take appropriate measures to prevent the recurrence of such violations, ensuring international security, eliminating threats to Iraq's security, and safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, and security of the Kurdistan Region.

This aligns with the objectives outlined in the Part I, Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations articulates the organization's objectives in maintaining international peace and security through peaceful means, with Article 2 calling on states to resolve their disputes in a manner that preserves international peace, security, and justice.