WHO WE ARE
Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR) is an alliance of Iraqi NGOs calling for comprehensive reparations for survivors of atrocity crimes perpetrated during the ISIL conflict in Iraq. C4JR seeks to provide a collaborative and safe space where grievances of survivors belonging to all affected groups (Yazidi, Turkmen, Shabak, Kakai, Christians, Shia, Sunnis, and others) will be adequately addressed. C4JR also strives to make available access to good practices, refer to international standards, and learn from the mistakes and successes of other post-conflict initiatives.
C4JR draws on international human rights and national law to advance the right to reparations of all civilian victims of the ISIS armed conflict in Iraq.
Our core beliefs:
- Full respect for international human rights law.
- A belief in the inherent dignity of humankind.
- Commitment to gender equality.
- Every victim of a gross human rights violation has an enforceable right to reparations.
- A strong civil society is a major precondition for the success of transitional justice processes.
- CSOs in post-conflict states are able to rise above sectarian, religious, ethnic, class, ideological and other divisions, and use international law to the benefit of victims.
- Peaceful coexistence and mutual respect are fundamentals which should govern relations among communities and groups.
- Repairing the harm done to victims of gross human rights violations should be of utmost priority not only for states where the violation took place but also for the international community and people worldwide.
- Any programs aimed at rectifying gross human rights violations should be communicated, discussed and approved by the victims themselves in a timely manner.
Survivors Council
C4JR doesn’t want to speak instead of survivors but rather inform them, amplify their voice, and be heard alongside them. To make sure the right to reparations is on the agenda. It remains there to provide space for deliberation, collaboration, and reflection, not only with survivors but also with state authorities and international partners. To that end, the Survivors Council has been established. It consists of individual survivors of the ISIL conflict in Iraq and their associations. Survivors Council members’ primary role is to provide guidance to the C4JR bodies and member organizations on different aspects of C4JRs work, strengthen the connection with the survivors and their communities, provide insights on ethical engagement and take part in public events, workshops, and conferences as self-advocates. Its purpose is to ensure that C4JR efforts are victim-centered, effective, and responsive to the needs of diverse survivors.
