October 14, 2014 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today released the following statement in response to the latest reports about sexual violence committed by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL):
“New evidence emerges every day of ISIL’s barbaric actions against women and children, including a new report that estimates that as many as 7,000 women—including many Yazidis and Christians—are being detained as sex slaves. ISIL’s barbarity is matched only by its depravity.
“Far from hiding these actions, ISIL media outlets openly promote them and offer theological justifications. It is clear that ISIL is nothing more than a terrorist group spreading hatred and intolerance around the world.
“Canada strongly condemns ISIL’s hateful ideology and the so-called justification of its campaign of sexual violence and sexual slavery, which includes abducting, trafficking, torturing, raping and killing women and children.
“In coordination with the Government of Iraq and other allies, the Government of Canada is taking action to protect innocent civilians and counter ISIL’s barbaric activities and expansionist agenda, which pose a very real threat to regional and global security. This includes up to $10 million committed as a direct response to sexual violence conducted by ISIL.”
Canada has also committed to providing up to 600 personnel, aircraft and other equipment, as well as a total of $28.9 million in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the year to help meet the urgent health, shelter, protection, education and food needs of thousands of civilians.
For additional information, see Baird Announces Measures to Counter ISIL’s Brutal Acts of Sexual Violence.
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