The Yazidi Survivors Law (YSL) is the first law that provides reparations and support for victims of conflict-related sexual violence in Iraq. This law offers satisfaction and financial support to survivors of ISIL atrocities. It also explicitly stipulates that the crimes committed by ISIL amount to genocide and crimes against humanity, for which the perpetrators must be held accountable.
Local and international NGOs are providing technical assistance for YSL implementation. The Council of Ministers agreed to allocate a financial budget to the General Directorate of Survivors Affairs (GDSA), key body established to facilitate YSL implementation. Therefore, we are now developing a mechanism to guide the application and review process. Submission of applications will be also possible through an electronic web portal. Ministry of Education will facilitate access to education for survivors within the 2022 budget.
I hope that financial support for the current budget year will be sufficient to ensure payment of monthly salaries, as envisaged by the YSL, for approximately 3,000 Yazidi and other survivors from Shabak, Turkmen, and Christian communities, covered by the YSL. It is also to be hoped that such budget allocation will be sufficient for ensuring jobs, housing units, and residential plots. I want to stress the importance of employing female survivors at the GDSA and separating the issue of humanitarian assistance from political affairs. At the end, I would like to thank the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, ministries, institutions, international partners, and embassies for their continuous support.
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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