Farida Khalaf is a survivor, human rights activist, co-author of “the Girl who Beat ISIS,” and President of Farida Global Organization. Here is her longer statement, a shortened extract of which features in the second C4JR YSL Newsletter.
“The Yazidi [Female] Survivors Law (YSL) represents a significant legislative milestone, marking a historic turning point and symbolizing the initial important steps towards seeking justice.
The implementation of the YSL has been initiated in Iraq, resulting in the commencement of substantial financial reparations for many of survivors who have been impacted by genocide and Conflict Related Sexual Violence. This includes various communities such as the Yazidi, Christian, Turkmen, and Shabak. However, financial reparations alone are insufficient; we aim for the YSL’s implementation to go beyond monetary compensation. It should embody an unwavering pursuit of justice for both survivors and their communities by bringing perpetrators accountable for the crimes they committed and the guarantee of non-repetition of the Genocide.
Reparations under the law are to be available and accessible not only to survivors inside Iraq but also for those who live outside Iraq. Currently, our Farida Global Team is closely collaborating with the Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional Governments to develop dual solutions that would facilitate access to reparation programs under the YSL for survivors residing in Germany, Canada, Australia, and France. As the president of a survivor-led organization, I commend the efforts of the Iraqi Directorate for Survivors Affairs (IDSA) and the Committee in engaging with survivors residing outside Iraq. We hope that practical solutions will soon emerge, enabling survivors to access the rights entitled under the YSL, regardless of the location of survivors like myself.”
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.
Read more and find out how you can support:
