UN says Islamic State is holding 3,500 slaves

Slavery is not a thing of the past.

In a report outlining "staggering" civilian casualties in Iraq the United Nations also reported on slavery perpetuated by the Islamic State.

From CBS News:

The report also said ISIS is believed to currently be holding approximately 3,500 people captive as slaves.

"Those being held are predominantly women and children and come primarily from the Yezidi community, but a number are also from other ethnic and religious minority communities," said the report, issued jointly by the U.N.'s Assistance Mission for Iraq and the global body's human rights office.

It said the crimes committed by ISIS may "in some instances, amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and possibly genocide."

ISIS swept across northern and western Iraq in the summer of 2014 plunging the country into its worst political and security crisis since the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2011.