680 Acta Apostolicæ Sedis - Commentarium Officiale

renewing my urgent appeal to the international community to take action

to end the humanitarian tragedy now underway, I encourage all the com-

petent organs of the United Nations, in particular those responsible for

security, peace, humanitarian law and assistance to refugees, to continue

their efforts in accordance with the Preamble and relevant Articles of the

United Nations Charter.

The violent attacks that are sweeping across Northern Iraq cannot but

awaken the consciences of all men and women of goodwill to concrete

acts of solidarity by protecting those affected or threatened by violence

and assuring the necessary and urgent assistance for the many displaced

people as well as their safe return to their cities and their homes. The

tragic experiences of the Twentieth Century, and the most basic understand-

ing of human dignity, compels the international community, particularly

through the norms and mechanisms of international law, to do all that it

can to stop and to prevent further systematic violence against ethnic and

religious minorities.

Confident that my appeal, which I unite with those of the Oriental

Patriarchs and other religious leaders, will meet with a positive reply, I

take this opportunity to renew to your Excellency the assurances of my

highest consideration.

From the Vatican, 9 August 2014

FRANCISCUS PP.