Kurdistan
Women watch as Iraqi teams exhume a mass grave of Yazidi victims of ISIS in Kocho, on October 24, 2020. File photo: Fazel Hawramy/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said he supports making the Shingal region its own province, a move that would give the area more control over its affairs.
“We reiterate our full support for Shingal to turn into a governorate and we will continue to cooperate with Iraq’s Federal Government on this important subject,” read a statement from Barzani on the seventh anniversary of the genocide committed by the Islamic State group (ISIS) against Yazidis.
On August 3, 2014, ISIS militants took over the district of Shingal, committing genocide against the Yazidi minority. Thousands fled their homes as the militants systematically killed men and older women, and enslaved younger women and children. In the first days of the genocide, 1,293 people were killed and 6,417 people were abducted. Today, 2,760 people are still missing, according to statistics from the NGO Joint Help for Kurdistan. Thousands of Yazidis are still living in camps, unable to return to their homes because of lack of reconstruction, services, and security.
In March, the Iraqi parliament passed a survivor bill that offers reparations for women who suffered under ISIS. The law applies to Yazidis and other ethnic and religious minorities.
Barzani urged the Iraqi government to implement the bill that guarantees employment opportunities by allocating them two percent of public sector jobs, along with a fixed salary and land.
“Our Yazidi sisters and brothers faced unimaginable cruelty at the hands of ISIS terrorists seven years ago. They rightly expect all of us to help them resolve their difficulties, heal their wounds and live in peace and harmony,” said Barzani.
Government officials and diplomats are publishing statements in commemoration.
“It is our duty to do justice to the victims and compensate them. And we must urgently assist the displaced to return and rebuild Shingal,” said Iraqi President Barham Salih.
“These heinous acts committed by ISIL [ISIS] may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Full accountability for their perpetrators remains essential,” stated Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who also urged “swift and full implementation” of the survivors law.
“We stand in solidarity with the Yazidi community to honor the victims of the massacre & support the survivors in their path to recovery & their fight for justice,” stated the global military coalition against ISIS.
“The UK reaffirms its support to all victims and survivors of Daesh [ISIS] atrocities,” read a statement from the British embassy in Baghdad.
Germany “supports many activities of Yazidis to overcome trauma & to rebuild their lives in security & dignity,” tweeted the German consulate in Erbil.
US Consul General Robert Palladino visited the holy Yazidi temple of Lalish, where he lit a candle. “We are here at this sacred site to honour the victims of the horrific genocide that took place seven years ago,” he said, adding that the US working to support Yazidis, including donating $1 million to preserve Lalish temple.
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