Technical meeting for finalization of the Yazidi Women Survivor’s Bill (Yazidi Bill), organized with International Organization for Migration (IOM)´s technical support and presence of United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) representatives, is taking place from 20th to 22nd December 2020 in Erbil.
On December 21 members of the Iraqi Parliament from Legal Affairs Committee, Human Rights Committee, Committee for Women Affairs, Committee for Labor, Social Affairs and Displacement, Committee of Martyrs, Victims and Political prisoners considered recommendations for improving the Yazidi Bill. In addition to the C4JR, suggestions for improvement were tabled by the Iraqi High Human Rights Commission, Commission for Investigation & Gathering Evidence, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and Institute for International Law and Human Rights.
C4JR delegate Mr. Hasan Ali Omar highlighted main elements of the C4JR Draft Law necessary for bringing the initial text of the Yazidi Bill in line with international standards.
This well-timed meeting comes at a critical stage for drafting the second version of the Yazidi Bill in the Iraqi Parliament. C4JR is therefore hopeful that it will mark a turning point in efforts to pass reparation legislation consistent with survivor´s preferences and best international practices.
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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