After Genocide: Preventing the Extermination and Expulsion of the Yazidi Minority from Northern Iraq

Abstract

In August 2014, the Islamic State attacked the Yazidi minority of northern Iraq, massacring thousands of Yazidi men and enslaving thousands more Yazidi women and children. The massacre and enslavement were recognized by the international community, including the United States, as genocide; however, thousands of Yazidis still remain in ISIS captivity and the Yazidi community faces threat of permanent expulsion from their ancient homeland in Sinjar, Iraq. Now close to five years since the Yazidi Genocide, questions remain regarding the feasibility of protecting the existence of the Yazidi community in Iraq and of ever successfully restoring them back to Sinjar.

This thesis identifies the principle requirements for achieving short-term and long-term stability of the Yazidi population of Iraq. Due to the unparalleled, widespread trauma of Iraq’s Yazidis, immediate steps must be taken to address their high rates of trauma, which include: 1) improving the condition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, where hundreds of thousands of Yazidis presently reside, 2) rescuing current ISIS captives, who represent the most vulnerable of Yazidis, 3) rehabilitating rescued captives, who require extensive health resources to address their physical, social, and psychological needs, and 4) improving Iraq’s domestic justice efforts to more effectively and appropriately prosecute ISIS perpetrators, while also pursuing the creation of an ad hoc international tribunal. In order to protect the Yazidis in the long-term, it is also important that they are afforded the opportunity to return to Sinjar. This long-term solution requires substantive efforts to stabilize the Sinjar area and incentivize the return of displaced Yazidis, namely through: 1) establishing an Iraqi-led multinational security force in Sinjar, to combat the threats of proxy wars and the resurgence of terrorist groups, 2) redeveloping Sinjar’s housing, health, and education infrastructure to provide liveable conditions, 3) improving demining efforts in Sinjar to prevent civilian casualties and decontaminate land for agricultural use, and 4) promoting ethnic reconciliation, principally between the Yazidis and local Sunni Arabs. This thesis also notes the applicability of this research to Iraq’s Christian minority of the Nineveh Region, who would benefit from the implementation of many of these measures. Finally, this thesis briefly evaluates the U.S. role in this effort, specifically referencing its applicability to U.S. interests in regional stability and U.S. values of religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and ideological pluralism.

This thesis is one of unabashed hope – it articulates the pressing needs of the Yazidis and offers suggestions on how to fulfill those needs. However, I must acknowledge the tragic reality of this story. Likely, no one will fully address the desperate needs of the Yazidis. If so, the Yazidis will never fully return to their ancient homeland of Sinjar and will be yet another group subject to a global diaspora that undermines their community, culture, ethnicity, and religion. The cycle of genocide will be complete.

To the few who take the time to read this, I thank you. To the even fewer who read these words and take action, I commend you. We must never forget that these are more than facts and figures – these are sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brutally massacred, raped, and tortured for simply being.

This is the story of the Yazidis of Iraq.