Iraq urges global recognition of Yazidi genocide on 2014 anniversary

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday marked the anniversary of the 2014 Yazidi genocide by urging the international community to formally recognize the atrocities committed by ISIS against the Yazidi community and other minorities as genocide and crimes against humanity.

In a statement, the ministry expressed deep sorrow over the crimes, describing them as “heinous crimes that targeted innocent people,” and reaffirmed Iraq’s solidarity with the victims and their families.

“[The ministry] stresses the importance of international recognition of these violations as genocide and crimes against humanity,” the statement said. It added that Iraq remains committed to supporting survivors, particularly by advancing their rights under Yazidi Survivors Law No. 8 of 2021 through its diplomatic missions abroad.

Beginning in August 2014, ISIS militants killed more than 5,000 Yazidis, displaced around 360,000 within Iraq, and forced over 100,000 to flee the country. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration reported that up to 80 percent of public infrastructure and 70 percent of civilian homes in Sinjar and surrounding areas were destroyed.

The long-term impacts of genocide, displacement, and trauma continue to affect the Yazidi community into 2024.

The atrocities have been formally recognized as genocide by the United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, and several other countries.

Full statement from Iraq’s Foreign Ministry:

On the anniversary of the genocide committed against the Yazidi community and other components of our dear people at the hands of ISIS terrorist groups, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over these heinous crimes that targeted innocent people and strongly condemns them.

The Ministry reaffirms its profound solidarity with the victims and their families and stresses the importance of international recognition of these violations as genocide and crimes against humanity. It continues its efforts to support survivors, advocate for their rights, and ensure that they receive the entitlements guaranteed under the Yazidi Survivors Law No. (8) of 2021, through its embassies and missions abroad.

The Ministry reiterates its call on countries to recognize the crimes committed against Yazidis and other components as genocide and stresses the need for international cooperation to recover the missing, strengthen joint action with governments and international organizations, and prevent the recurrence of such crimes in the future.

The Ministry also reaffirms its commitment to continuing efforts toward achieving justice, international recognition of the genocide, moving forward on the path of healing, and ensuring reparations for the victims of these horrific crimes committed against the people of our beloved country.