International Protocol on Sexual Violence launched in Kurdish

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The International Protocol on Sexual Violence was launched in Kurdistan Region to provide guidance on documenting and investigating sexual violence and to emphasize accountability under international law, said a Kurdish official on Tuesday.

In a ceremony held in Erbil, the Kurdish branch of the International Protocol on Sexual Violence in Conflict was launched. The ceremony was attended by Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and British officials, including the Consulate-General of the United Kingdom, Angus McKee.

McKee stated that the consulate has been working with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on the protocol to be launched in Kurdish for two years. He believes it will help Kurds document and investigate the sexual violence committed against Kurdish Yezidi (Ezidi) women in Sinjar (Shingal).

“This document is important information for all who work with the survivors of sexual violence, whether they are medical professionals, humanitarians, security forces or the judiciary. It is an important tool for them to use,” McKee told Kurdistan24.

Additionally, he stated that Iraq has witnessed terrible war crimes against humanity carried out by the Islamic State (IS), including crimes involving sexual violence.

“Putting this document into Kurdish, as well as in English and Arabic, equips people in here to ensure that one day the perpetrators of those war crimes will be held accountable and will face justice,” McKee added.

He also noted that whether it is a national or international court, the war criminals from Bosnia, Central African Republic or elsewhere face justice.

“I’m proud that the United Kingdom, British Consulate here and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) High Council for Women have launched this protocol in supporting this effort,” stating there is evidence of war crimes committed by IS, which will bring them to justice someday.

Moreover,Kurdo Omar Abdulla, Director of the General Directorate to Trace Violence against Women, told Kurdistan24 that they will collect documents and evidence of war crimes committed against women so that, with the support of the UK, the case will be recognized as genocide.

Kosar Karim, a member of KRG High Council for Women, explained to Kurdistan24 that they have worked hard to sign the protocol and help the Kurdish women get rescued from IS, women who faced sexual violence and were turned into war slaves.

Shingal was occupied by IS in August 2014. Following the occupation, IS carried out mass executions and sold Ezidi women in markets in Syria and Iraq as sex slaves. On Nov. 13, 2015, Peshmerga forces with the aerial support of the international coalition jets liberated Shingal and pushed IS out of the city.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany and Ava Homa