On May 27th the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2576 (2021) extending UNAMI’s mandate in Iraq and providing assistance to monitor and ensure fair elections. The resolution calls on the international community to support Iraq in addressing challenges it faces in the ongoing fight against terrorism and work toward recovery, reconstruction, stabilization and reconciliation. Addressing the importance of meeting the needs of all Iraqis highlighting women, youth, children, displaced persons, and persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities.
Part and parcel of this mandate, C4JR applauds the inclusion and recognition of the Yazidi Female Survivors Law (YSL) in its preamble, calling on the Government of Iraq to enact effective and timely implementation of the law which seeks “to hold perpetrators of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence accountable, to provide mental health and psychosocial support to victims, and to provide reparations and redress measures for all survivors identified in the law, and calling upon the Government of Iraq to extend its provisions to all victims.”
The welcome mention of the Yazidi Female Survivors Law in the preamble to the extension of the UNAMI Mandate emphasizes the importance of this legislation and provides a vital step toward realizing justice for all ethnic and minority groups affected by ISIL / Daesh crimes and a path for reconciliation and stability in the region.
C4JR emphasizes the need for regular and international coverage during Iraq’s implementation of the YSL to ensure justice and support for all survivors.
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:
