The European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID) welcomes the recent European Parliament resolution on the systematic mass murder of religious minorities by the so-called ‘ISIS/Daesh’.

MEPs from each of the main political groups reiterated their strong condemnation of ISIS/Daesh and its egregious human rights abuses, deliberately targeting Christians, Yazidis, Turkmen, Shi’ites, Shabak, Sabeans, Kaka’e and Sunnis who do not agree with their interpretation of Islam. These violations amount to “war crimes”, “crimes against humanity” and “genocide” according to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), they added. Hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children are suffering at the hands of ISIS.

EPRID believes that this resolution, as well as the resolution by the PACE of the Council of Europe, is a significant step forward that will help the international community to determine the specific nature of these crimes and, ultimately facilitate adequate responses, including the investigation and prosecution of those who are responsible, and redress for victims.

EPRID also welcomes the call for the EU to establish a permanent Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief and joins the European Parliament in urging each country of the world to prevent persecution, discrimination and intolerance on grounds of religion or belief, as well as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide within their territories.