AlQa'dah 6, 1435, Sep 1, 2014, SPA -- The U.N. Human Rights Council Monday approved the Iraqi government's request for an investigation into alleged crimes against civilians committed by the Islamic State (IS) in its rampage across northeastern Syria and Iraq. Diplomats agreed by unanimous consent to approve a nearly $1.2 million U.N. fact-finding mission at a daylong session of the 47-nation council. Iraq's request for the United Nations to investigate alleged abuses by the extremist group was included in a resolution that more broadly condemns the group's severe tactics but also calls on the Iraqi government to protect human rights. The aim is to provide the Geneva-based council with a report and evidence next March that could shed further light on Iraqi atrocities and be used as part of any international war crimes prosecution.
