UN chief, Security Council denounce 'appalling' murder of Jordanian pilot by ISIL

According to media reports, the terrorist group released a 22-minute video on Tuesday purporting to show the execution of the Jordanian pilot by burning him alive. This latest murder comes on the heels of Saturday’s beheading by the group of a Japanese journalist.

In a statement read out to the press at Headquarters by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the Secretary-General condemned the killing, referring to ISIL as Da’esh, an Arabic acronym for the group.

Ban said his thoughts are with Al-Kasasbeh’s family and loved ones, and added that he shares their sorrow and stands on Tuesday in solidarity with the Government and people of Jordan in denouncing this appalling act.

The UN chief also urged all Governments to strengthen their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism and extremism within the bounds of their human rights obligations. Groups like ISIL have “no regard for human life,” he added.

In a separate statement expressing equally strong condemnation, the Security Council said the “heinous and cowardly murder…once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIL, 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.”

Underlining the need to bring the perpetrators of such reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, the Council stressed that those responsible for the killing of Muath Al-Kasasbeh 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 the Government of Jordan and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

“The members of the Security Council stressed that such a crime by ISIL demonstrates that terrorism is a scourge impacting all of humanity and people from all regions and religions,” the 15-nation body continued in its statement, which stressed again that ISIL must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out.

Council members further emphasized that such continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by ISIL 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, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaida, as the Council resolved in its resolution 2170 (2014).

Further to their statement, the members of the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaida.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe (file)