[Captured Iraqi soldiers by militants from the Islamic State of Iraq]
In a rare move, countries who opposes each other in relation to human rights issues at the UNHRC has come together have a special session on human rights situation in Iraq.
The Permanent representative of Iraq has requested to convene a special session of the UNHRC on the human rights situation in Iraq in light of abuses committed by the Islamic in Iraq and the Levant and associated groups on Monday, 1 September 2014.
The Group of Arab States, the Non- Aligned Movement, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and European Union have supported the request in a joint letter.
The request has been supported by 29 member countries of the Human Rights Council: Austria, Brazil, Burkina Fuso, Chile, China, The Congo, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Gabon, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Maldives, Montenegro, Morocco, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Romania, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America
India, Cuba, Venezuela and South Africa, are among the council members that has not supported the request.
Read the note verbale in relation to the convening of a special session of the Human Rights Council