Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Delivers a Speech on the 10th Anniversary of Yazidi Genocide
On Saturday, August 3, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein, delivered a speech on the 10th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, which was organized by the Central Advisory Council of Yazidis in Germany. In his speech the Minister extended his thanks and appreciation for the humanitarian initiative organized by the Council to recall the tragics Yazidis faced by Dae’sh terrorist gangs. He also conveyed the greetings of the Prime Minister and his great concern over the humanitarian atrocities the Yazidis were subjected to, and praised the role of the German government, the German Federal Parliament, and other countries that recognized the Yazidi genocide. The Minister recalled the passing of ten years on the genocidal campaign launched by Dae’sh against the Yazidis in Iraq, where the most heinous human rights violations were committed against them. As well the Minister stressed that Iraq is a diverse country with its sects, religions, and beliefs, which represents a source of strength and wealth for its society.
The Minister also affirmed that the Iraqi government has taken several steps in this context, including legislating the Yazidi Survivors Law No. (8) of 2021, which is a national legal source for achieving justice and reparation , and recognizing the crime as genocide. In addition a General Directorate for Survivors’ Affairs was established, whose services have so far benefited more than 2,013 women, men and children. As well the government established the Sinjar and Nineveh Plain Reconstruction Fund, and included financial allocations within the three-year budget (2023-2025). The government formed a committee to search for Yazidis who were kidnapped by Dae’sh terrorist groups, to find out their fate and return them to their families. His Excellency referred to Kurdistan Regional Government concerted efforts in cooperation with the federal government to protect the Yazidis and address the humanitarian challenges they face, noting that the region has hosted the Yazidis since the first day of the violations they were subjected to, and provided them with safe shelter and the necessities of a decent life. As the regional government contributed effectively in searching for the kidnapped, and returned them to their families.
Additionally, Minister Fuad Hussein stressed that the government and people of Iraq commemorates this anniversary annually through events and panel discussions that brings together government agencies, international organizations, civil society organizations and the Yazidi community, to discuss future steps to ensure reparation and prevent this tragedy from recurring. In addition to directing the Iraqi diplomatic missions to raise awareness of the genocide against the Yazidis in abroad and in international forums.
At the end of his speech the Minister extended his thanks to the friendly countries and international and non-governmental organizations that support and contribute to the reconstruction of villages and cities inhabited by the Yazidis, or to the rehabilitation and integration into society processes. Minister Hussein pledged to provide unlimited support to the victims and their families, as well the Yazidi survivors, and other components covered under the law.