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Open Letter to UN Special-Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Wairimu Nderitu

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Irak
Sources
MADRE
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Re: Reparations for Atrocity Crimes Against Civilians Committed During the Da'esh/ISIL Conflict in Iraq

Your Excellency,

The Coalition for Just Reparations (C4JR) extends its congratulations on your appointment as the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. C4JR is an alliance of Iraqi civil society organizations, representing Iraq's linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity, supporting reparation claims of survivors and other victims of crimes perpetrated during the conflict with Da'esh/ISIL in Iraq. By using language of reparations, C4JR seeks not only to repair harm done to victims but also to induce greater change in Iraq towards overall respect and observance of human rights.

You can be assured of our support to you and your Office in strengthening Iraq's capacity to prevent genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and uphold its responsibility to protect all communities in Iraq.

Since 2003, Iraq has suffered internecine conflict and state collapse, degrading a once rich cradle of ancient ethno-religions and cultures. During the Da'esh/ISIL created conflict in Iraq, at least 30,000 civilians were killed, 55,000 injured and more than 3 million were displaced. Minority communities including Christians, Yazidis, Sabean-Mandaeans, Turkmen, Kaka'i, and Shabaks were particularly targeted and faced existential threats.

Da'esh/ISIL exploited the concomitant deterioration of religious freedoms as part of their genocidal campaign against ethno-religious minorities across the Sinjar region and the Nineveh plains. The targeted violence sought to erase the presence of religious minorities in Iraq altogether, and particularly of the Yazidis, decried by Da'esh/ISIL as devil-worshippers.

We welcome the efforts already taken to safeguard religious freedom and to counter narratives of violent extremism in Iraq, such as the Interfaith Statement on the Victims of Da'esh/ISIL endorsed by religious leaders from the Christian, Sunni, Shia and Yazidi communities, and supported by the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL (UNITAD) and your Office. However, without justice religious communities will continue to face persecution and the threat of repeated violence. The main focus thus far has been, and rightly so, on criminal accountability for past atrocities. Yet, much wider engagement is necessary, crafted in close contact with victims themselves. In addition to material compensation, restitution and rehabilitation, a range of measures falling within satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition are necessary to avoid further human rights violations and/or defuse situations that can lead to outburst of violence amounting to genocide.

We are thankful that one of the themes of this year's International Day to Commemorate the Victims of Genocide will focus on reparations. Repairing the harm done to victims of gross human rights violations should be of utmost priority not only for states where the violation took place but also for the international community and people worldwide.

We respectfully request the opportunity to brief you on the work of the Coalition during your next visit to Iraq or via an online platform. In your remarks at the International Day to Commemorate the Victims of Genocide we urge you to highlight the importance of reparations for victims of Da'esh/ISIL atrocities and encourage the Government of Iraq to expedite the passing of the draft Reparations Bill. Finally, we request your Office to consider writing a report on the nexus between the non-repetition of genocide and reparations.

Sincerely Yours,

C4JR member organizations

  1. ASUDA
  2. Better World Organization
  3. Bishkoreen
  4. Christian Aid Program Northern Iraq (CAPNI)
  5. Civil Development Organization
  6. Emma Organization
  7. Free Yazidi Foundation
  8. Ghasin Al-Zaiton Organization for Youth
  9. Hammurabi Organization for Human Rights
  10. Harikar
  11. Iraqi Institution for Development
  12. Jinda Organization
  13. Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
  14. Justice Organization for Minority Rights
  15. Lotus Flower
  16. Methra Organization for Yarsani Culture and Development
  17. Nadia's Initiative
  18. National Center for Human Rights
  19. Nisha Organization
  20. Peace and Freedom Organization
  21. Tajdid Iraq
  22. To Reconcile Organization
  23. Turkmen Rescue Foundation
  24. Women Leadership Institute
  25. Women's Legal Assistance Organization (WOLA)
  26. Yazda
  27. Yezidi Organization for Documentation

International Partners

  1. Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights
  2. Fight for Humanity
  3. Genocide Watch
  4. Global Survivors Fund
  5. Impunity Watch
  6. Madre
  7. Minority Rights Group International