UN recognizes Ezidi genocide

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria recognizes the massacre committed by the Islamic State (IS) against Yazidis (Ezidis) as genocide.

“They Came to Destroy: ISIS Crimes Against the Yazidis,” is a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that says “IS’s abuse of Yazidis amounts to crimes against humanity and war crimes.”

According to Paulo Pinheiro, the Chair of the Commission, the genocide against Ezidis is ongoing, stating that “IS has subjected every Ezidi woman, child or man that it has captured to the most horrific of atrocities.”

Following the IS attack on Sinjar (Shingal) on August 3, 2014, the extremists kidnapped thousands of Ezidi women and girls into Syria subjecting them to slavery.

According to the report, “Thousands of women and girls, some as young as nine, have been sold in slave markets, or souk sabaya, in the Syrian governorates of Raqqah, Aleppo, Homs, Hasakah and Dayr Az- Zawr.”

The statement does not mention the Ezidis held captives in the IS-controlled cities in Iraq especially its stronghold city of Mosul.

“The report focuses on violations committed against Ezidis inside Syria, where thousands of women and girls are still being held captive and abused, often as slaves,” the UN report added.

The Commission Inquiry for its report relied on interviews with survivors, religious leaders, smugglers, activists, lawyers, medical personnel, and journalists, as well as extensive documents.

Elsewhere, an Ezidi delegation is expected to visit the US in the next few days and meet with the US officials and UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon.

Mahma Khalil, Mayor of Shingal, told Kurdistan24 that the visit aims to discuss the demands of Ezidi Kurds to rebuild the city of Shingal and recognizing the Ezidi massacre as genocide. “Before the visit, we will meet with the Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani,” Khalil said.  

Editing by Ava Homa