Germany reaffirms commitment to Yezidi refugees at Lalish Conference

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - During the 6th Lalish Conference on Peace and Coexistence, Mr. Klaus Streicher, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Erbil, delivered a speech reaffirming Germany's ongoing support for Yezidi refugees and its dedication to justice and healing for the Yezidi community.

"Germany is hosting a large number of Yezidi refugees and attaches particular importance to the discussions at this conference," Streicher began, acknowledging the critical topics at hand.

As the 10th anniversary of the Yezidi genocide approaches, Streicher emphasized Germany's commitment to supporting Yezidi survivors and combating sexual and gender-based violence.

He highlighted the efforts of German Foreign Minister Anna-Lena Baerbock, who has made significant visits to Iraq, meeting Yezidi survivors and witnessing the aftermath of the atrocities in Sinjar.

"These crimes must never be forgotten," Streicher stated, underlining the importance of remembering and addressing past horrors to ensure justice and accountability.

Germany has been at the forefront of efforts to bring justice to the victims of Daesh since 2014.

Streicher detailed Germany's support for the Commission for Investigation and Gathering Evidence in Duhok and the United Nations investigative team, UNITAD. "German tribunals were the first to hand down severe convictions of Daesh criminals," he noted, affirming Germany's leadership in prosecuting perpetrators.

Streicher also emphasized the need to help victims overcome trauma, highlighting Germany's support for the Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology at the University of Duhok.

This institute trains psychologists to provide essential mental health services, aiming for long-term recovery and support for survivors.

Addressing sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts, Streicher pointed out that such crimes are often brutal elements of strategic warfare, affecting women, girls, men, and boys. "Combating impunity for these crimes is crucial for prevention," he declared, assuring continued German efforts in this area.

He praised KRG and Iraq's engagement in addressing Daesh's horrors, citing the Yezidi Survival Law of 2001 as a significant step.

Streicher called for enhanced cooperation between the Kurdish regional government and the Iraqi government, especially as Iraq plans to close remaining IDP camps. He urged for an extension of the timeframe to ensure humane return, integration, and further relocation of IDPs, preventing secondary displacement and instability.

Streicher concluded by encouraging continued support for IDPs and expressing gratitude for the invitation to the conference. "I wish you all a very successful conference with informed debates, exchanges, and useful insights," he said, closing his address with a message of hope and solidarity.