The Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR) urges the Committee responsible for determining claims submitted under Iraq’s reparation program for ISIL survivors (Yazidi Survivors Law) to stop placing survivors´ well-being at risk through introducing extra-legal evidentiary requirements to access benefits. Namely, survivors are being asked to undergo onerous process of procuring and submitting official investigation documents together with their YSL application which may lead to their re-traumatization. In addition, a number of eligible survivors are currently residing outside of Iraq (making the process of procuring documents even more prohibitive), while Yazidi children abducted by ISIL risk self-incrimination. Applications from survivors who do not submit investigation documents will be rejected, regardless of the plethora of pre-existing evidence collected by official bodies and NGOs, as well as the possibility for the Committee to interview survivors itself.
While efforts of state officials to prevent verification of false claims are justified and necessary, burden of proof in such cases should lie with the authorities rather than survivors. In the words of one affected survivor: “No-one will declare to be survivor of ISIL if they are not. In reality, no-one will take that risk”.
Look at the story of the survivor here:
ISIL Survivors speak about their experience
Read the C4JR statement here
and in Arabic here.
The Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR), with the support of IOM Iraq, is publishing regular newsletters on the Yazidi Survivors Law (YSL) in three languages. Check out the Eighth Newsletter now, in English, Arabic, and Kurdish (Sorani and Kurmanji).
The eighth issue of the Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR) newsletter covers:
- Reparation Payments: The Directorate for Survivors’ Affairs has disbursed reparations to 1,975 survivors covered by the YSL in August 2024.
- UNITAD Reports: UNITAD has recently released several key reports on ISIL's international crimes in Iraq, concluding that ISIL's actions likely constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against Yazidis, Shi’a Turkmen, Christian communities, and other minorities.
- End of UNITAD’s Mandate: Following the conclusion of UNITAD’s mandate, C4JR’s Criminal Justice Working Group published a statement emphasizing the urgent need for the Iraqi government to pass legislation enabling the prosecution of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
- New Toolkit Released: C4JR and Jiyan Foundation released their Ethical Engagement Toolkit, to guide NGOs and journalists in engaging with survivors to address key issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, privacy, and cultural sensitivity, designed for various contexts.
- Yazidi Genocide Commemoration: On the tenth anniversary, Yazidi civil society held a commemoration in Solagh, Sinjar, honoring victims and demanding justice from the Iraqi government and international community, by prosecuting ISIS terrorists, rebuilding Yazidi areas, compensating survivors, and ensuring legal reforms to prevent future atrocities.
- UN Special Rapporteur Report: The UN Special Rapporteur’s report calls for action against sexual torture in wartime and will be presented to the UN General Assembly on October 25. The report acknowledges contributions from the Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights and other stakeholders during a study visit to Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Challenges and Recommendations: The newsletter presents an overview of the outstanding challenges faced by survivors applying to the YSL and recommends measures to ease YSL application burdens.
- Get to Know C4JR Members: Learn more about Emma Human Development Organization, which provides legal and psychological services to ISIL survivors.
🗣 The newsletter is available in Arabic, Sorani, and Kurmanci.
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