UK acknowledges ISIS acts of genocide against Yazidis

Press Statement

Today the British government formally acknowledged the ISIS perpetrated acts of genocide against the Yazidi people nine years ago.

Over 4,000 Yazidis were killed in the attacks on Sinjar, Iraq and over 6,000 women and children were enslaved. The young girls and women were subjected to horrendous sexual violence.

Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and President of Nadia’s Initiative, said:

“I am pleased that the UK government has formally recognised the horrors suffered by the Yazidis as genocide. It is a significant gesture to the Yazidi people as we continue to fight for accountability.

I hope that the British government will now begin to seek justice for the victims by holding British-born fighters to account. The world cannot afford to let ISIS members walk free. It sends a message to the world that you can murder and rape with impunity.”

ISIS may have been militarily defeated, but the trauma of the ISIS invasion continues. Hundreds of thousands of Yazidis are still displaced and thousands of women are still held in captivity.

Nadia Murad said:

“I thank the British government, and Lord Ahmed, for taking this step, and I hope other countries will follow suit in formally recognizing the genocide and committing to recovery and rebuilding efforts.”

Editor’s Note:

For more information, email press@nadiasinitiative.org.