C4JR Media Statement on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict:
Hope for Survivors of Wartime Sexual Violence in Iraq #C4JR21
On March 1st, 2021, the Iraqi Council of Representatives passed the Yazidi [Female] Survivors Law (YSL). This law will deliver long-awaited relief to Yazidi women – survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) committed by the self-declared Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Most importantly, by enacting the YSL Iraq has set a milestone in the Arab world and beyond on redressing CRSV survivors in line with international standards. The Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR), an alliance of 32 Iraqi non-governmental organizations (NGOs) calling for comprehensive reparations for civilian victims of atrocity crimes perpetrated during the ISIL conflict in Iraq, took the lead in promoting survivor-friendly solutions in implementing the YSL. Moreover, it made a set of recommendations to ensure that a survivor centered approach is front and center in all implementation efforts. This would entail abiding by the principle of do no harm, upholding confidentiality of survivors, and prioritizing their safety, well-being, and dignity. Important work lies ahead, as in the upcoming period the groundwork for effective implementation of the YSL should be laid.
On May 27th the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2576 (2021) extending UNAMI’s mandate in Iraq and calling on the Iraqi Government “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.”
On June 19, 2021, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the C4JR calls the Iraqi government and international community to seize the opportunity and build on this momentum to create a robust and viable CRSV reparations scheme. To this end, the C4JR has outlined 21 recommendations to ensure a survivor centered approach in the development and implementation of the YSL.
Join our campaign, use #C4JR21 and tell the Iraqi government that justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence committed by ISIL means putting them front and center.
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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