Child Protection Iraq Project #21523

Yezidi Children's Safe Space

by Free Yezidi Foundation

Project Report | Feb 9, 2022
JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

By Pari Ibrahim | Executive Director

JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Dear friends,

We hope this email finds you happy and healthy after the holiday season. As 2022 gets underway, please find below our latest news from the month of January.

This month, FYF finished a structural analysis on the Hardan massacre, one of the worst atrocities committed by ISIS during the 2014 genocide. The confidential report, which is the first comprehensive investigation into the Hardan massacre, has been shared with two UN mechanisms and national prosecutors in seven different countries. We hope that this report will aid authorities in better understanding the detailed methodology, intent, and actions of ISIS members when it overtook individual towns and villages during the Yezidi Genocide, and aid in prosecuting those responsible.

This report is made possible by generous support of the American people through the United States’ Department of State. The contents are the responsibility of FYF and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of State or the United States Government.

FYF participated in a panel hosted by Amnesty International following the world's first criminal prosecution, in Germany, for the Yezidi Genocide. Unfortunately, the new year has not seen an end to Turkish airstrikes in the Yezidi homeland of Sinjar. Yezidis were killed in strikes on January 21, 2022, further terrorizing the local community who are trying to rebuild their lives post-genocide. A detailed thread can be found here.

Our Enterprise and Training Center in Khanke is continuing to grow. We hope 2022 brings more success and opportunities for our staff to engage. We have already welcomed several visitors this year. They have been able to meet with our artisans and sample our delicious snacks at our bakery, Sugar is Sweet. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are in Duhok and would like to visit. Thank you all, as always, for your steadfast support of the Yezidi community.

Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation

In the News

DeMorgen | Zweden En Frankrijk Gaan Samenwerken Voor Vervolging Genocide Jezidi’s | FYF is quoted in this Belgian article on the establishment of a French-Swedish team to prosecute perpetrators of the Yezidi genocide.

Kurdistan 24 | Sweden and France set up joint investigation team for crimes against Yezidis | FYF is quoted, saying: "This is a very important initiative by the EU. It is a little bit late, to be totally honest, but it is a good step."

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Jan 13, 2022
DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

By Pari Ibrahim | Executive Director

DECEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

Dear friends,

Please find below FYF news and the latest developments in the Yezidi community for the month of December.

Lalish temple, near Sheikhan in northern Iraq.

Earlier this month, the Yezidi community celebrated Roja Ida Ezi - one of the holiest days of the year. On Friday, Yezidis celebrated with family and friends after three days of fasting, with many enjoying the festivities at Lalish, the holiest site for the community.

On December 9, the remains of 41 more Yezidis killed in Kocho were finally laid to rest in a burial ceremony in the village. This site was among the worst ISIS massacre against our people in 2014. FYF Country Director Hewan Omer travelled to Kocho with an FYF team of Harikara and a psychologist to support the community in their grief.

Sinjar was also rocked by Turkish airstrikes this month, killing several people and leading to increased fear among Yezidi returnees. On December 7, a prominent Yezidi leader died in an airstrike on the town of Khanasor, where many genocide survivors live. His two children survived the attack. Five days later, another devastating airstrike struck Khanasor, targeting a building used by a local council and often used as a wedding hall for civilians. Strong action needs to be taken to stop Turkey from terrorizing vulnerable Yezidis in their homeland.

FYF Executive Director Pari Ibrahim was hosted by the New Lines Institute in early December for a discussion on "Gendering Geopolitics" and the recent conviction of ISIS members related to the Yezidi genocide. You can watch the full discussion here.

For our friends and allies in the United Kingdom, please ask your MP to sign the motion urging the UK government to recognize ISIS atrocities against Yezidis as genocide.

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on all we have achieved with pride. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, FYF has continued to serve the most vulnerable and responded to the needs of our community. We distributed emergency aid to IDPs whose tents were lost in a fire, provided trauma treatment to the most vulnerable, compiled ISIS suspect profiles, established a Bakery Training Center, and opened the new FYF Enterprise & Training Center. We also invested in Yezidi youth through an innovative program and continued to operate a much-needed center to combat GBV. You can find more information about our activities on the newly redesigned FYF website.

This year, our programmes have reached even more people in need, but we need your help to continue this important work. For those of you who have already made end-of-year contributions to the Free Yezidi Foundation, we appreciate your generosity immensely. If you have not, please consider making a donation.

FYF children's center beneficiary (prior to COVID-19)

Thank you all, as always, for your steadfast support of the Yezidi community, and have a wonderful holiday season.Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation

In the News

Kurdistan24 | Yezidi Activists Praise German Conviction of ISIS Member For Genocide, Stressing Legal Significance | Our thoughts are included in this piece on the sentencing of Taha al-Jumailly to life in prison for his role in the Yezidi genocide.

Kurdistan24 | Alleged Turkish Strike Targets Sinjar for Second Time in a Week | FYF thoughts are included in this article on Turkish airstrikes in Sinjar.

Suomen Kuvalehti | Isisin kalifaatti romahti, mutta jesidivahemmiston ahdinko jatkuu - valtaosa elaa yha leireilla, tuhansia kateissa | FYF was quoted in this article in Finland regarding crimes committed against the Yezidi population.

Rudaw | Suspected Turkish warplanes target Shingal twice in five days | Our perspective on Turkey's attacks on Sinjar was also covered by Rudaw.

Rudaw | HDP condemns murder of Yazidi commander in Shingal | FYF is quoted in this article on the murder of a Yezidi military commander in a Turkish airstrike.

Rudaw | Kurdish Leaders Welcome German Court's Sentencing of ISIS Member To Life Imprisonment | Our thoughts are included in this piece on al-Jumailly case.

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Dec 29, 2021
SUPPORT THE FREE YEZIDI FOUNDATION THIS HOLIDAY

By Pari Ibrahim | Executive Director

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