As the 10th anniversary of the genocide is commemorated, the Yezidi community—both living in Iraq and the increasing number now in the diaspora—remain deeply frustrated and apprehensive about the lack of concerted efforts to find the thousands still missing; the seemingly diminishing prospects for accountability; and the rise in hate speech and threats of violence against them.
The Simon-Skjodt Center, US Institute of Peace, and multi-media advocacy project and exhibition, Nobody’s Listening, convened a discussion on tangible actions for the Iraqi and US governments to address the needs of the Yezidi community.
Remarks delivered by Naomi Kikoler, director of the Museum's Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide.
August 3, 2022 marked the eighth anniversary of attack by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on the Yezidis of northern Iraq. Eight years on, the need for justice remains unabated. Thousands of Yezidis are still missing, their families in anguish.
A German court handed down the first conviction for genocide for an ISIL member’s crimes against Iraq’s Yezidi community.
The Yezidi community has been fighting for justice for the genocide perpetrated against their community by ISIS for years. This guest blog post, by Pari Ibrahim, Executive Director, Free Yezidi Foundation, explores Yezidi survivors’ fight for justice and how our new handbook, “Pursuing Justice for Mass Atrocities: A Handbook for Victim Groups” can help.
Over six years have passed since the self-described Islamic State’s assault on Iraq and Syria, and its particular targeting of ethno-religious minority groups for killings, sexual violence, abduction, and torture, among other harms. In September 2020, the Simon-Skjodt Center held a briefing focused on reparations for victims and survivors of these crimes.
On the six-year anniversary of IS's devastating attack on the Yezidis, the Simon-Skjodt Center stands in solidarity with victims and survivors, and again calls for Iraq and the wider international community to identify and act upon early warning signs that could curb the risks of future violence.
Yazidis remains at physical risk and in search of justice six years after the genocide. The Museum convened a panel of experts to discuss these risks and the prospects for accountability.
Three years after the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) committed genocide and other mass atrocities against Yezidi, Christian, and other religious minorities in northern Iraq, these communities remain at risk. In order for displaced religious and ethnic minorities to return to their homes and engage in the process of reconciliation with their neighbors, their physical protection must be assured, their rights to practice their religions and cultures must be guaranteed, and they must see those who harmed them held to account.
