Accessibility links

Breaking News

UN Rights Chief Condemns IS Killing Of Women Activists In Iraq


UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has condemned the brutal killing of a female Iraqi rights defender by Islamic State (IS) militants, as well as the continuing sexual exploitation of hundreds of women in areas captured by the extremist group.

The rights chief said in a statement on September 25 that Sameera Salih Ali Al-Nuaimy was publicly executed by a masked firing squad in the central Iraqi city of Mosul this week.

Al-Nuaimy, a lawyer known for promoting women's rights, was detained on September 17 following posts on her Facebook page that were critical of IS militants.

Zeid said two female political activists were killed in the Sderat area in July. Another female activist was abducted from her home in Mosul in July, and is still missing.

Zeid expressed "deep dismay" at the situation facing hundreds of captured Yazidi women, who have reportedly been sold into slavery, forced into marriage, and repeatedly raped by IS fighters.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG