- Myan Khairi Saeed Beg, Princess of Yezidis
- Talal Murad, Journalist, Sinjar
- Khogir Wirya, Senior Research Fellow, MERI (Moderator)
Khogir Wirya, the moderator of the session, emphasised the importance and complexity of normalisation in Sinjar after the onslaught of the so-called Islamic State (IS) and the genocide they perpetrated against the Yazidis. He referred to MERI’s extensive research and publications since 2014 on the plight of Nineveh’s various communities, including Sinjaris and their internally displaced persons (IDPs); and to the Institute’s on-going research activities on ‘Reconstruction, Recovery and Return of the Displaced’. He then invited the panellists to shed light on the persistent challenges faced by the Sinjaris and Yazidi community, and proposed actionable solutions.
Challenges of Reconstruction and Governance
Princess Mayan Khairi opened the discussion with a vivid recollection of the devastation wrought upon the Yazidis in 2014. IS targeted Yazidis in an attempt to destroy their religion and culture, leading to mass killings, enslavement, and displacement. As a result, 30,000 are in displacement and thousands of women and children remain missing. This systematic violence left psychological scars that hinder survivors’ reintegration into society. Khairi underscored the urgency of establishing mental health rehabilitation centers to aid survivors and called for the full implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law. Despite this legislative framework, delays in financial support and infrastructural shortcomings have stalled progress.
Talal Murad expanded on this narrative, addressing the erosion of inter-community trust following the genocide. Historically, Yazidis coexisted peacefully with other groups in Iraq, but this harmony was broken when some neighbors actively participated in ISIS-led atrocities despite long-held tribal commitment of a fraternity practice called ‘Krev’. Murad stressed the necessity of rebuilding trust through judicial accountability. The perpetrators of the genocide must be identified, and the law must be enforced to restore confidence and heal societal wounds. Murad stressed the importance to avoid collective blame and distinguish true perpetrators from the innocent, as many Sunni and Shiite families in Sinjar have continued to live peacefully alongside the Yazidis.
The absence of a functional local government in Sinjar needs immediate action. According to Murad, this administrative vacuum has left the Yazidi community vulnerable and hindered the reconstruction process. Khairi reiterated that the lack of coordination between the Iraqi and Kurdistan governments has turned the Yazidis into victims of political conflicts. Both speakers appealed for a collaborative agreement to ensure governance, security, and prosperity in the region.
Psychosocial and Cultural Impact
One of the central themes of the panel was the assertion of a radical shift in Yazidi culture due to the genocide and the protracted accompanying displacement. Living in temporary shelters for a decade has severely impacted the community’s sense of belonging. The princess was critical of the authorities for the prolonged suffering of living in tents, highlighting the need for basic services in the areas of return to restore dignity while going home. Such a call resonates with fundamental human rights principles that should drive the necessity of governmental and international intervention to ensure adequate living conditions in the areas of origin so as the displaced return voluntarily and in a dignified manner.
Both Khairi and Murad emphasized the dire need for infrastructural and administrative reforms in Sinjar. Murad described the alarming lack of healthcare facilities, specialist doctors, and medicines. Educational systems are equally strained, with overcrowded schools operating in shifts and struggling to meet basic curriculum and resource requirements. Promises, such as the allocation of 1,000 jobs in the education sector, remain unfulfilled, exacerbating unemployment and instability.
Recognition and Justice
The Princess of Yazidis was critical of both Baghdad and Erbil for the insufficient acknowledgment of Yazidi woes. While the genocide of the Yazidis is unparalleled in its brutality, as characterized by systemic killings, enslavement, and displacement, the response has been marred by political conflict and inadequate aid. The demand for Sinjar’s reconstruction, alongside the establishment of industrial, commercial, and political projects, reflects the community’s aspirations and needs for stability and normalcy.
Another theme addressed in the panel concerned the need for legal measures to combat hate speech and foster coexistence. The Yazidi experience has been exacerbated by societal divisions, further entrenched by a recent inflammatory rhetoric against the Yazidis. Khairi calls for a collective effort to legally ban hate speech and promote mutual respect among diverse religious and ethnic groups. Such measures are presented as prerequisites for achieving long-term peace and integration, enabling Yazidis to reclaim their place in the region.
Murad concluded the panel with a sobering observation: without justice and sustained attention for a healthy recovery, the Yazidis risk enduring “one genocide after another.” The law, he argued, must not only punish the perpetrators, but it should also lay the foundation for a stable and inclusive society where such atrocities cannot be repeated.
MERI Forum 2024
Sinjar: Reconstruction, Recovery and Return of the Displaced
Panel 10A