[JURIST] The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq [official website], Nickolay Mladenov, on Saturday called for immediate action [press release] to stop the inhumane activity caused by Islamic State (IS) armies in Amerli. IS armies in the area are reportedly cutting off supplies [RUDAW report] to Amerli inhabitants, leaving them unable to access food and water. As a result, living conditions in Amerli are worsening, and locals, including children, are dying of dehydration and disease. Mladenov stated in regards to the inhumane actions, “[t]he situation of the people in Amerli is desperate and demands immediate action to prevent the possible massacre of its citizens.” Mladenov is urging fellow countries of the UN and the Iraqi government to work to stop the “human rights tragedy.”

Iraq has experienced mounting unrest since IS (also known as ISIS) began its insurgency in 2013. The UN [JURIST report] and Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] have consistently expressed [JURIST report] alarm over the violence occurring in the country including numerous executions of Iraqi civilians, religious leaders and government affiliates [JURIST reports] by IS members and the Iraqi government’s execution [JURIST report] of Iraqi nationals for terrorism related offenses [JURIST reports]. The IS-instigated atrocities in Iraq began in June of 2013, two years after US troops pulled out [JURIST feature] of the country. This violence was soon followed by the rebel group detonating [JURIST report] a series of car bombs near Bagdad in order to facilitate a prison raid, killing 60 people.