Kurdish authorities delaying civilians fleeing ISIS: HRW

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday accused Kurdish authorities of delaying thousands of Iraqi civilians fleeing from militant-held areas at checkpoints, in some cases within range of front lines.


The New York-based rights group said the delays, some lasting weeks or months, were not only increasing the hardships of civilians but also putting their lives at risk as Iraqi forces battle ISIS.

"These families have lived for years under the horrific abuses of ISIS, months with limited food, water, and medicine, and have just risked their lives trying to get to safety," Lama Fakih, HRW's deputy Middle East director, said in a statement.

"Delaying people fleeing ISIS from reaching safety and getting the help they need is inhumane," she said, using an alternative acronym for ISIS.
  elkaos.gr/AFP
21/6/17