Ezidi lawyer calls upon Iraq to facilitate UN investigation of IS crimes

Ezidi (Yezidi) advocate against the Islamic State (IS) crimes Nadia Murad and an Ezidi international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney called upon the federal government of Iraq on Thursday to facilitate the UN probe into the crimes IS committed against Ezidis.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – A well-known Ezidi (Yezidi) advocate against the Islamic State (IS) crimes Nadia Murad and an Ezidi international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney called upon the federal government of Iraq on Thursday to facilitate the UN probe into the crimes IS committed against Ezidis.

Britain has started to draft a United Nations Security Council resolution to launch an investigation of the IS crimes, but according to Clooney, the federal government of Iraq has to write an official letter to ask for the inquiry before the Security Council can vote on it.

IS occupied the Ezidi-populated city of Sinjar (Shingal) in August 2014 and committed mass execution and genocide against the residents. The extremist group kidnapped, raped and sold Ezidi women as a sex slave in their markets.

Clooney, who represents Murad and other Ezidi victims of the IS, told Reuters that the Iraqi government had not made a request to investigate the crimes of the jihadist group.

"We do want to see an investigation take place with the cooperation of the Iraqi authorities. But ultimately if that support is not forthcoming regarding real action, then the UN has to think of other ways in which to achieve accountability," she said.

According to Clooney, the Security Council can establish an inquiry without the approval of Iraq where the UN General Assembly could establish a special committee to prepare the crime cases and preserve evidence.

She also mentioned that the Security Council could refer the case to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"All these options are on the table. They must be seriously considered because victims like Nadia can't expect to wait forever," she added.

On Thursday, Murad who is also a goodwill ambassador to the UN gave testimony before the United Nations. She mentioned that 15 months into her testimony at the UN Security Council, not a single IS militant has been brought to justice for committing genocide against Ezidis and war crimes against humanity.

“My words, tears, and my testimony have not made you act. I wonder whether there is any point in continuing my campaign at all,” Murad lamented.

“I am physically and emotionally exhausted. Just like Farida, Lamia, Shireen, and many other Yazidi girls who have decided to speak up about IS’ crimes,” the Ezidi survivor continued.

“I have put my life on hold to seek justice, rather than focusing on my own recovery and trying to build a future in my new country, Germany. Our decision to speak up came at a great personal cost,” she concluded.

 

Editing by Ava Homa