2nd LD Writethru: UN Security Council slams "heinous" murder of over 30 Ethiopians in Libya

The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned "the heinous and cowardly apparent murder" in Libya of more than 30 Ethiopian Christians by an affiliate of the Islamic State (IS).

"This crime once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIL (IS), which is responsible for thousands of crimes and abuses against people from all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities, and without regard to any basic value of humanity," said a statement issued to the press here by the 15-nation UN body.

"The members of the Security Council reiterate their strong condemnation of the persecution of individuals and entire communities on the basis of their religion or belief," the statement said.

Ethiopia has confirmed many of the Christians shown being shot and killed in a video purportedly made by the Islamic State group, were its citizens. Militants claimed the victims were killed in Libya.

The 29-minute video released online Sunday showed about 12 men being killed on a beach, while a further approximately 16 people were shot in the head in a desert area.

The victims were identified in the video as "followers of the cross from the enemy Ethiopian Church," reports said, adding that it was claimed one group had been held by an IS affiliated group in the east of the country, while the second group was with an IS ally in Libya's south.

"The members of the Security Council stressed again that ISIL (IS) must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out," the statement said.

The council members further emphasized that "such continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by ISIL (IS) do not intimidate them, but rather stiffen their resolve that there has to be a common effort amongst governments and institutions, including those in the region most affected, to counter ISIL (IS), groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL (IS), Ansar Al Shari'a entities, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, as the Council resolved in United Nations Security Council resolutions 2170 (2014), 2199 (2015) and 2214 (2015)," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, to the government of Ethiopia, as well as to the families of all victims of ISIL (IS)," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL (IS), groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL (IS), Ansar Al Shari'a entities, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with al-Qaida," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council stressed that those responsible for these killings shall be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with Libya, Ethiopia and all other relevant authorities in this regard," it said.

The council members further recalled that ISIL (IS) is included on the al-Qaida Sanctions List, and is thus subject to the asset freeze and arms embargo in resolution 2161, adopted in 2014, and further recalled that any individual or entity that provides financial or material support to the group, including the provision of arms or recruits, is eligible to be added to the al-Qaida Sanctions List and subject to sanction measures.

The members of the Security Council underscored the need for full implementation of resolution 2199, adopted on Feb. 12, 2015, to cut off IS's support networks, and resolution 2214 (2015) that focuses on countering IS, groups that have pledged allegiance to IS, Ansar Al Shari'a entities, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with al-Qaida operating in Libya, the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the statement said.

The council members reaffirmed their full support for the special representative of the UN Secretary-General, Bernardino Leon, and urged all parties in Libya to engage constructively with his efforts to continue an inclusive political process aimed at addressing the political and security challenges facing the country, said the statement.

"The Council members also reaffirmed that only through national unity and dialogue, with a view to finding a peaceful solution, can Libyans build their State and its institutions so as to defeat terrorism and prevent such grave crimes," the statement added. Endi