From Genocide to Justice: Iraq’s Reparations for Yazidi Survivors

• In 2014, ISIS launched a genocide against Yazidis in Sinjar, resulting in thousands killed and kidnapped, widespread sexual violence, and the systematic destruction of their cultural heritage.
• The 2021 Yazidi Survivors Law (YSL) provides a framework for reparations, including monthly financial support, medical care, and education, though implementation remains uneven.
• Despite progress, survivors face significant administrative barriers, and the Iraqi government has yet to incorporate international crimes like genocide into its domestic penal code.

The Impact of the 2014 Genocide

• An estimated 3,100 Yazidis were killed and 6,800 kidnapped, with over 200,000 remaining displaced as of 2023.
• The destruction of infrastructure and lack of identity documentation prevent families from returning home or accessing basic public services.
• Survivors grapple with the stigma of sexual violence and the loss of social cohesion due to unresolved security and governance issues in Sinjar.

Current Status of Reparations

• As of May 2026, 2,496 survivors are approved under the YSL, with 2,216 receiving benefits.
• Support includes monthly payments of 800,000 Iraqi dinars, residential land, and health cards.
• Challenges include the "burdensome" requirement to file individual criminal complaints to qualify for aid, which often retraumatizes victims.

Necessary Reforms and Justice

• The UN and CEDAW recommend simplifying application processes, removing non-stigmatizing barriers, and ensuring children born of rape are legally protected.
• True restoration requires reconstructing Sinjar and addressing the "unfinished" accountability of ISIS through domestic legal reforms that treat war crimes as specific offenses rather than mere membership crimes.
• International support remains essential to sustain these programs and help survivors transition from recognition to long-term restoration.