CLARION PROJECT
July 9, 2014

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, now simply the Islamic state, executed 13 leading Sunni clerics last month. The leaders were executed for refusal to pledge loyalty to the Islamic State.These executions are evidence that ISIS is cracking down on dissent, and will refuse to allow any contradictory opinions in what it regards as its territory.

Heiner Bielefeldt, the UN’s special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief expressed serious concern about the turn of events. “Here a Sunni movement is executing Sunni religious leaders. That should make us think.” she said. “It’s important to focus more attention on these particular killings, because here we are not talking about Sunnis versus [Shiites]. This is a very clear case of atrocities committed against their own people, against religious leaders from Sunni Islam who probably have a less simplistic understanding of what Islam means.”

ISIS claims to have executed 1,700 captured Shiite Iraqi soldiers. They have posted videos online of executions they have performed. On previous occasions they have publically displayed the crucified bodies of their enemies.

Their reputation for brutality serves as propaganda tool that ISIS uses to demand obedience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxawa6VnSTM

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http://www.clarionproject.org/news/isis-executes-13-sunni-clerics-refusal-join-them