“A Stain on Humanity”: Iraqi President Urges Justice for Yazidis

Iraqi Presidency

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid's meeting with the Yazidi, Turkmen, and Shabak survivors.

Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid reiterates the importance of delivering justice to the Yazidi community and of continuing efforts to secure the release and safe return of those still in captivity.

President Rashid received on Sunday, 3 August 2025, a delegation of Yazidi, Turkmen, and Shabak survivors at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad, marking the eleventh anniversary of the genocide committed against the Yazidi people by the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organisation.

At the outset of the meeting, the President welcomed the delegation and affirmed that the atrocities committed against the Yazidi community and other communities constitute a crime of genocide and a stain on the conscience of humanity. He underscored the urgent need to secure, reconstruct, and rehabilitate Yazidi areas in order to facilitate the return of displaced persons and foster lasting stability.

President Rashid remarked that the suffering endured by the Yazidis and other communities had laid bare the extremist ideology of the terrorist gangs responsible for some of the most appalling crimes in modern history, flagrantly violating human rights and human dignity. He called on the international community to support Iraq in its reconstruction efforts and to contribute meaningfully to the development of educational, healthcare, and public service institutions in Sinjar and other affected regions.

The delegation provided a detailed account of the crimes they had suffered at the hands of ISIS, including abduction, torture, and abuse. 

President Rashid reiterated the importance of delivering justice to the Yazidi community and of continuing efforts to secure the release and safe return of those still in captivity. He further emphasised the need to address the ongoing challenges facing liberated governorates and stressed the importance of holding all perpetrators accountable, thereby advancing the cause of justice.

Members of the delegation expressed their gratitude to the President for his ongoing support and commitment to the Yazidi cause, particularly in relation to the abductees. They also presented updates on the current status of this issue and highlighted a number of continuing challenges and obstacles.



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