On 10 June in Baghdad, Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights, the Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR), and The Victims of Iraq in Speicher-1700 NGO organized the conference “From Laws to Justice: Commemorating the 12th Anniversary of the Camp Speicher Massacre.”
The event brought together families of Camp Speicher victims, Yazidi survivors, representatives of government institutions, members of parliament, civil society organizations, and community leaders to honor the victims and discuss pathways toward justice, accountability, and reparations.
In his opening remarks, the representative of Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakim Head of Hikma National Movement expressed solidarity with the families of the victims, stressed the importance of achieving justice and accountability, and emphasized the need to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.
Speaking on behalf of Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights and C4JR, Dr. Yousif Salih reaffirmed solidarity with the families of the victims and survivors and highlighted the C4JR’s continued commitment to advocating for justice and reparations for all victims of ISIS crimes.
In a message delivered on behalf of Yazidi survivors, Azhar Suhail expressed solidarity with the families of the Camp Speicher victims, stating:
“On the 12th anniversary of the Camp Speicher Massacre, we express our full solidarity with the families of the victims and reaffirm that our shared pursuit of justice and dignity is what unites us.
As a survivor myself, I understand that the pain does not fade easily. However, solidarity, recognition of rights, and genuine efforts to achieve justice give victims and survivors hope that their suffering has not been forgotten.”
Sadiq Al-Rubaie, Executive Director of The Victims of Iraq in Speicher-1700 NGO, called for continued support for victims’ families and underscored the collective responsibility to ensure that such crimes are never repeated.
A powerful testimony was also delivered by Fatima, sister of martyr Ahmed Kamil, who shared the lasting impact of her brother’s loss on her family. As she expressed,
“Ahmed was one of the pillars of our home, and after his loss, the home was left shattered.” Fatima called for greater support, justice, and reparations for the families of the victims.
The conference featured the launch and presentation of C4JR’s report, “Comparative Study of the Yazidi Survivors Law and Camp Speicher Law: Implementation and Intersections,” presented by Zozan Mohammed, Project Coordinator at C4JR.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring Mr. Saad Raad, Director of the Speicher Department at the Martyrs Foundation; Ali Dhiya, Representative of the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation; Firas Safa, General Directorate of Survivors Affairs; Sozan Safar, President of DAK Organization; and Sadiq Al-Rubaie, Executive Director of The Victims of Iraq in Speicher-1700 NGO. Panelists discussed lessons learned from implementing reparations programs for survivors of ISIS crimes, as well as the achievements and challenges surrounding the administration ofboth the Camp Speicher Law and the Yazidi Survivors Law.
Twelve years after the Camp Speicher Massacre, the pursuit of justice continues. Remembering the victims must be accompanied by sustained efforts to advance accountability, protect survivors’ rights, and ensure meaningful reparations for those affected by these crimes.
