MARCH 2022 - NEWS AND UPDATES
Dear friends of FYF,
Every March, we celebrate International Women's Day. As we took time to celebrate our committed team of women, we continue to forge ahead with the important work we do every single day.
Please read on for our most current news!
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
FYF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM THE WOMEN’S REFUGEE COMMISSION
UNITAD SA CHRISTIAN RITSCHER VISITS FYF ENTERPRISE & TRAINING CENTER
ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE AND ELEVATING RIGHTS FOR YEZIDIS
On March 6th, our Iraq Country Director, Heywan Omer, and FYF Lawyer, Saood Ahmed, joined the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Iraq roundtable in Baghdad to discuss the Yezidi Survivors’ Law, codified in March of 2021. Challenges to and possibilities for implementation, as well as other issues were discussed. FYF also met with Saib Khidir, the Yezidi Member of Parliament in Baghdad, to discuss these and other matters.
FYF Executive Director, Pari Ibrahim, addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 15th. The topic of this side session was The Expendable and Targeted Communities: Religious or Belief Minorities at Risk. During the session, Pari addressed the ongoing Turkish airstrikes on the Sinjar region of Iraq, seven within a span of just six months. She also focused on the Yezidi Survivors Law, as well as the ongoing priorities for Yezidi recovery and empowerment.
This past week, Pari was invited to address the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Freedom of Religious Belief, a cross-party group formed by MPs and Members of the House of Lords. She noted the paltry number of Yezidis resettled in the United Kingdom - 52 since the Yezidi Genocide began in 2014. Pari also addressed two key issues:
Sincerely,
Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi FoundationC
FEBRUARY 2022 - NEWS AND UPDATES
Dear friends of FYF,
February has been a very busy month for us. Please read on for our most current news.
ISIS leader Ibrahim Abu
Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi died on February 3rd, detonating his suicide vest during a raid led by U.S. forces in northwest Syria. President Biden described al-Qurayshi as the "driving force" behind the Yezidi Genocide, and as an instrumental figure in the destruction and devastation that befell the Yezidi community during the genocide.
Although FYF would have preferred al-Qurayshi captured alive to answer for his unspeakable crimes, removing him from the battlefield is a notable success against ISIS. We are grateful to the U.S. for its continued work to defeat ISIS and its ongoing aid of the Yezidi people.
A full FYF statement on al-Qurayshi's death can be found here.
On February 22nd, solemn ceremonies were held in the village of Hardan, north of Mount Sinjar, to mark the opening of seven mass graves in the area. An FYF team travelled to the village to stand with the community as they mourn. Hardan experienced one of the worst crimes during the Yezidi Genocide, where more than 300 people were kidnapped by ISIS/Daesh.
The remains of innocent Yezidis killed at Hardan have been left unprotected for years. Over the coming weeks, excavation teams will work to bring closure to families, and dignity to the victims of the massacre.
FYF has conducted a detailed analysis of the Hardan massacre, shared with UN mechanisms and international prosecutors. We continue to remain committed to advocating for both the victims and the survivors from Hardan.
Our Enterprise and Training Center continues to thrive. We were excited to host an increasing number of joyful community events at our Sugar is Sweet café, welcoming the community for birthdays and other special occasions. Please visit us if you are in the Khanke area. When you visit, be sure to place an order for our delicious cakes and baklava!FYF participated in a discussion with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Netherlands Parliament, presenting a position paper on the Yezidi pursuit of justice and accountability. You can find our full position paper here.
On February 8th, members of the UK Parliament's Backbench Business Committee debated the Yezidi Genocide, calling for official recognition from the UK government. FYF participated in briefing MPs before the debate. We are grateful for the work of our UK allies in advocating for Yezidis.While FYF and the international community continue to fight for justice, Turkey continues to conduct unabated airstrikes in Iraq against survivors of the Yezidi Genocide. We must not allow ourselves to be complacent regarding the ongoing airstrikes in Sinjar. This footage shows the devastation from the Turkish airstrikes on Feb. 1st in Yezidi villages in Sinjar.
While we mourn the tragic loss of civilian lives and highlight the heroism of those standing against aggression in Ukraine, we also herald the courage of war journalists from different countries and backgrounds who uphold reality and truth through their photos and words. We are grateful to FYF board member Alex Lourie and all others who risk safety to report from crises around the world. Alex has previously reported on the Yezidi Genocide and is now in Kyiv. Stay safe Alex! (Photos courtesy Alex Lourie.)Thank you all, as always, for your steadfast support of FYF and the Yezidi community.Sincerely,
Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation
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.
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
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.
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
SUPPORT THE FREE YEZIDI FOUNDATION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
As 2021 comes to a close, there is so much for which we are grateful! FYF has made continued progress this year: opening the new Sugar is Sweet cafe, expanding our educational training for women and girls, continuing our fight for justice, and more.
As a women-led organization, our projects in Iraq are staffed almost exclusively by Yezidi women – women like Shaima from Khanasor. Shaima signed up for FYF’s bakery training program after taking classes at our Women’s Center. She excelled in her bakery and finance courses and was selected to join our Sugar is Sweet team. Our programs are not only helping Shaima; they continue to inspire and empower other women to learn new skills and earn their own income.
“I see that I’m encouraging other girls to go to classes and training,” says Shaima. “My friend never used to go out and now she is asking me about sewing classes. I’m the eldest in my family and have encouraged my sister to go to classes after school so she can find work, too.”Support us as we support the Yezidis
We can’t do our work without your essential support. In this season of giving, please consider a donation to FYF. Consider becoming a monthly sustaining donor or making a year-end financial gift. Every dollar counts!
Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation
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