UNITAD, the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL, has transferred approximately 28 terabytes (TB) of data, representing a significant portion of the 40TB of evidence collected. This move comes as the mandate of UNITAD nears its conclusion.

Briefing the Security Council, Ana Peyró Llopis, UNITAD’s acting head, highlighted her regular engagements with Iraqi officials, the judiciary, survivors of terrorist violence, and civil society organizations. She emphasized the eagerness of all stakeholders to enhance cooperation before the mandate ends, particularly in delivering evidence, materials, analyses, and capacity-building efforts.

Since its inception, UNITAD has played a crucial role in ensuring accountability for the atrocities committed by ISIL between 2014 and 2017, which are considered potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The team has meticulously collected and preserved evidence, including witness testimonials, data from ISIL’s digital devices, on-ground investigations, and advanced forensic analyses. This extensive repository of information has been compiled into a digital archive meeting rigorous international standards for evidence, ensuring its usability in current and future judicial proceedings.

Ana Peyró Llopis noted that the evidence and analytical products will remain available beyond UNITAD’s closure. Member States, including Iraq, could use this information to hold ISIL perpetrators accountable for their international crimes.

Ms. Peyró Llopis informed the Security Council that UNITAD transferred 28TB of evidence in March. On Monday, another batch of evidence, including online and open-source information, was handed over, and evidence collected from the Kurdistan Regional authorities is ready for delivery. She highlighted that some of this evidence was generated through close collaboration between UNITAD and Iraqi authorities, such as excavating mass graves and analyzing data from seized ISIL devices.

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