UN chief condemns ISIL for forced exodus of Christians
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned ISIL for forcing Christian community to leave Mosul
UNITED NATIONS
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Sunday for threatening the Christian community in Mosul with execution if they refuse to leave the city.
A statement released on Sunday by the UN said that Christians in Mosul and other ISIL-controlled parts of Iraq are threatened to be executed if they refuse to convert, pay tax or leave the city. The persecution of Turkmen, Yazidis and Shabaks is also condemned in the statement.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that any systematic attack on the civilian population, or segments of the civilian population because of their ethnic background, religious beliefs or faith may constitute a crime against humanity, for which those responsible must be held accountable,” the statement said.
The militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, (ISIL) has given Mosul's Christian community an ultimatum either to pledge allegiance to the self-proclaimed caliphate's rule or leave the city before noon (GMT 9 a.m.) on Saturday.
Up to 1,500 Christians have left Mosul in the last two days, with some claiming militants had seized their houses and property and cut off electricity and water supplies.
