UN rights chief decries abuse against men fleeing Fallujah

Iraqi counterterrorism forces load a Humvee with rockets to take to a front line position in their fight to oust Islamic State militants from Fallujah, Iraq, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) (The Associated Press)

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An Iraqi counterterrorism forces soldier drives a mine-resistant bulldozer as Iraqi Army sliders walk together on their front line position during an operation to oust Islamic State militants from Fallujah, Iraq, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) (The Associated Press)

Smoke rises from an Islamic State group position near the front line where Iraqi counterterrorism forces are battling to oust the militants from the city of Fallujah, Iraq, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) (The Associated Press)

GENEVA – The U.N. human rights chief is flagging "extremely distressing, credible reports" that Iraqis fleeing Fallujah are facing physical abuse and even cases of summary executions as they escape the city held by Islamic State militants.

Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein on Tuesday cited witness accounts that armed groups backing Iraqi security forces have detained some men and teenage boys leaving Fallujah with force that at times "degenerates" into abuse. Zeid acknowledged that Iraqi forces have a "legitimate interest in vetting individuals fleeing ISIL-controlled areas" to make sure they don't pose a security risk, but said official authorities should do so.

He said those fleeing must be presumed to be civilians, barring "clear and cogent evidence to the contrary." He urged the Iraqi government to take steps to ensure the protection of civilians.