Yazda, in collaboration with The Zovighian Partnership, held a virtual convening titled, “Towards a sustainable future for Yazidis and minorities in Iraq & KRI,” on the significant occasion of the Seventh Annual Commemoration of the Yazidi Genocide. The two-day commemoration, held under the patronage of His Excellency Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, gathered several national and international diplomats, to acknowledge the barriers to genocide response and examine the chronic challenges and crucial actions that need to be urgently addressed and facilitated.

In his welcoming speech, the Prime Minister addressed the audience saying, “We are committed towards finding sustainable solutions that facilitate the safe return of Yazidis to their homes.” He added, “Our Iraqi national government is coordinating with the relevant ministries and local authorities in Iraq to implement long-term solutions for the socio-economic development and reconstruction of Sinjar.”

The first day of the commemoration also shed light on the potential paths for the rebuilding of Sinjar that will give way to a sustainable future for minorities.

Mr. Elias Haider, Co-founder and President of Yazda Organization stressed the importance of this commemoration, despite all the hardships facing the region, adding that the purpose of this commemoration is: “To remind the world of the atrocities and the genocide perpetrated by Da’esh against the Yazidis.”

Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim, Head of the National Wisdom Movement, condemned the atrocities perpetrated by Da’esh, stating, “The terror acts committed by Dae’sh do not represent Islam, and distort its true image.” He added, “We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Yazidis to relieve their suffering.”

Ensuring the safe return of displaced Yazidis

Ms. Salwa Saido, member of the Yazidi Survivor’s Network delivered a message to the audience on the atrocities she suffered in the hands of Da’esh. She stressed that the international community has failed to protect the Yazidi people, adding, “Seven years on, the Yazidis are still displaced, living in refugee camps. I am calling for a plan for a dignified return of Yazidis to their homeland.”

United States Ambassador Matthew Tueller praised the resilience of the Yazidi community, saying, “The USA will continue to support the Yazidi community and support their return to their homes, to ensure that the needs of Yazidi minorities are met.”

Mr. Karim Nouri, Deputy Minister of Migration and Displacement, addressed the complexities of the displacement.

Director of Masarat Foundations and Founder of the Iraqi Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Saad

Salloum, called for urgently acknowledging key challenges facing the Yazidi people in order to move

forward with a plan of action.

Mr. Murad Ismael, Co-founder and President of Sinjar Academy, thanked the international community for its support to the Yazidis, stipulating however, that the security within Sinjar has not been resolved yet, concluding that, “We don’t want Sinjar to become a place for war.” He called for practical recommendations to ensure the socio-economic development of Sinjar, especially to encourage job creation.

Emphasizing the commitment of the Iraqi government in collecting evidence to facilitate the prosecutions of crimes, His Excellency Minister Salar Abdul Sattar Muhammad explained that the Iraqi government is working with the international community to exhume the mass graves and ensure accountability for crimes committed by Da’esh.

Member of the Iraqi Parliament Saib Khidir echoed the need to financially compensate victims, saying, “Victims are not receiving the material compensation through governmental means due to inappropriate arrangement and allocation of resources.”

In turn, Mr. Joey Hood, United States Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs said,“USA is ready to train and equip the local security forces in Sinjar, to enable them to go back home.”

Challenges for justice and accountability

United Kingdom Ambassador to Iraq Mark Bryson-Richardson in turn stressed the importance of this commemorative event to commemorate the Yazidi genocide and set the tone on the brutal atrocities against Yazidis.

In an expert-led panel, Ms. Sarab Barakat, General Director of the Directorate General for Survivors’ Affairs at the Iraq Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, called for urgent bold political will and implementation of the Yazidi Female Survivors Law.

Legal Advocacy Director at Yazda, Ms. Natia Navrouzov, stated that, “The lack of justice and accountability is the result of the absence of a legal framework to impose sanctions against Da’esh.”

Ms. Nadine Maenza, Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, stressed the need to impose sanctions on people violating religious freedoms stated that, “The international community needs to support the Iraqi government, so Yazidis can be making decisions on their own.”

The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, stated: “No sustainable future and no equitable reconstruction for Iraq without justice.”

Dutch Ambassador to Iraq Michel Rentenaar called for all governments around the world to recognize that the atrocities constitute a genocide.

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Yazda is a global community-led institution that protects and champions all religious and ethnic minority communities, including Assyrians, Chaldeans, Kakais, Shabak, Yazidis, and others in Iraq, Kurdistan Region, and Syria.

Founded in 2014 at the onset of the genocide perpetuated by Da’esh, also known as Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL) against the Yazidis, as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity against other minorities, Yazda leads advocacy and strategic projects in Dohuk, Sinjar, and the Nineveh Plains, as well as global diaspora hubs.

www.yazda.org