On 25th of August, C4JR held an exchange meeting with UNAMI about exploring avenues for cooperation and promoting rights of survivors of CRSV, also to introduce the C4JR draft law that fulfills the obligations of the Iraqi government specified in the joint communique that was signed between the Republic of Iraq and the United Nations in 2016 on prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence.
UNAMI thinks that if the C4JR draft law is implemented it will have a huge impact on supporting and protecting the CRSV survivors and will have a role in assuring the survivors that their rights are preserved and the government truly listens and feel their suffering.
The main point agreed between the two parties in this meeting is that they will continue to support the claims of survivors and they will set Joint advocacy and develop its strategy, get in touch with decision makers in Iraq to involve them in the discussion of CRSV survivors, Engage the religious and traditional leaders in the debate and ask for their support as they have a huge impact on their community and both parties will continue to work together to help the survivors to get their rights and to the engage them into the community again through Signing an MOU between UNAMI and C4JR.
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.
Read more and find out how you can support:
