On January 27 2021 members of the Iraqi parliament failed to vote on the Yazidi Women Survivors Law. This law, based on the initial bill submitted by the Iraqi presidency in March 2019, is the product of an intense discussion that took place in the second half of 2020.
Iraqi civil society, facilitated by the Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR), took the lead in reviving the public debate on reparations for survivors of the Da’esh/ISIS conflict in Iraq and improving the initial bill through an intensive advocacy campaign.
By enacting this law Iraqi authorities would fulfill their obligations specified in the Joint Communiqué between the Republic of Iraq and the United Nations on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (2016). It would also set an example for other-post conflict states on how to recognize, honour and repair harm done to the survivors of genocide and other mass atrocity crimes. Most importantly, this bill would not only allow survivors to lead a dignified life in their homeland, but also bring closer Iraqi society as a whole.
The deteriorating mental health crisis facing survivor communities, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a recent increase in suicides, further underlining the need for immediate action to support the most vulnerable.
C4JR therefore respectfully encourages Iraqi parliamentarians across the political spectrum to show leadership and uphold their legal and moral obligations by enacting the Yazidi Women Survivors Law.
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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