Sinjar – September 22, 2022: Yazidis are calling upon local governments and the international community to strengthen security in Sinjar. A policy paper titled, “Collapsed security threatens the future of Yazidis and minorities in Sinjar,” documents the effects of deprived security and fragile rule of law, according to community members on the ground. 

This position paper, co-authored by Yazda and The Zovighian Partnership, was released on September 22, 2022. It is the first in a two-part series of policy briefs that calls to urgently resolve critical challenges to secure a safe and sustainable return to Sinjar. The editors, writers, and contributors co-participated in a Yazidi-led policy definition process to identify critical obstacles, urgent priorities, and time-critical recommendations.

The paper and key findings will be presented and debated in a panel hosted by the Middle East program of the Wilson Center welcoming US government officials and key stakeholders congressional offices in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 12:00-13:00 EST. Key speakers include Haider Elias, Co-founder & President of Yazda; Nadine Maenza, President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat; and Lynn Zovighian, Co-founder & Managing Director of The Zovighian Partnership. RSVPs for in-person and online participation is now open.

Absence of safety and security threatens the future of Yazidis

“Security is today the most significant challenge facing Yazidis and Sinjaris who wish to return back home,” explains Ahmed Khudida Burjus, Director at Yazda. 

Minority communities continue to face pervasive long-term effects of genocide and war crimes committed by Da’esh in Sinjar. Today, the growing presence of other armed groups and militias are also threatening the future of Yazidis and minorities. Without security, over 250,000 displaced Yazidis are unable to return home. Many of those who attempted to return have been re-displaced back to IDP camps.

The chronic breakdown of security is compromising sovereignty and rule of law, both of which are co-requisites for any meaningful recovery. Lynn Zovighian, Co-founder and Managing Director of The Zovighian Partnership, explains, “Until security is guaranteed, there can be no socio-economic recovery and development in Sinjar.” Insecurity is also hindering survivor calls for justice and demands for credible public institutions.

Key policy priorities and recommendations: Strengthen security in Sinjar

The policy paper features six very urgent Yazidi-led and survivor-centered solutions to strengthen security in Sinjar.

1. Re-visit the Sinjar Agreement, setting clear deadlines to comprehensively implement community-inclusive sovereignty, security, and safety.
2. Allocate long-term budgets and activate programming for the community-based recruitment and capacity-building of local law enforcement bodies; 
3. Close all non-state checkpoints and deploy trained and long-term funded local law enforcers to guarantee the safe and trusted movement of goods, aid, humanitarian workers, public servants, and communities.
4. Establish and fund a multi-stakeholder task-force for Sinjar with seats allocated to community-appointed representatives with assurances of comprehensive community inclusion.
5. Establish and fund a local communities-led grassroots independent body to track, study, document, and address direct and indirect consequences of insecurity on the welfare of Sinjaris; and
6. Study, reform, and introduce legislation to ensure the constitutional right to safety and protection of Sinjaris in the laws, policies, and strategic commitments of all stakeholders.
   

Until security is guaranteed, there can be no socio-economic recovery and development in Sinjar.

- Lynn Zovighian — Founder, Zovighian Public Office

The position paper closes with a warning: “Without agile and measurable action, Sinjar will not be given voice, and therefore, not get to meaningfully participate in the long-term recovery and future of Iraq.”

With heightened concerns towards the political and security situation in Iraq, Yazda and The Zovighian Partnership will be meeting with United States government officials to ensure the Yazidi Cause and plight of minorities are not sidelined.

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About Yazda

Yazda is a global community-led organization providing critical humanitarian assistance and promoting accountability and justice for the atrocities committed by the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS, IS or by its Arabic acronym Da’esh, against the Yazidi community and other groups in Iraq. Yazda was established in 2014, three weeks after the genocidal campaign commenced in Sinjar, northern Iraq, and was among the first organizations on the ground providing lifesaving assistance to survivors. Yazda was the first actor to document Yazidi survivor accounts of crimes committed by ISIL.

www.yazda.org

About the Zovighian Public Office

The Zovighian Public Office (ZPO) was established in 2015 to serve communities facing crises and crimes of atrocity. We are dedicated to amplifying their voices through research, advocacy, and diplomacy. We are deeply committed to justice and accountability for the Yazidis of Sinjar in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

www.zovighian.org