Iraqi President Barham Salih on Sunday sent a draft bill to parliament that would classify atrocities committed by ISIS against Yazidi women as “genocide”.
For several years, Sinjar, home to Yazidi ethno-religious minority, was the site of what the United Nations called an ISIS-led genocidal campaign.
The insurgents, shot, beheaded or burnt alive the group’s members and kidnapped thousands, especially its women. Many were forced into sexual slavery.
“The draft bill presented to parliament guarantees the rights of female Yazidi survivors of ISIS. It proposes they get monthly allowance, rehabilitation and to ensure a dignified life,” the president’s office said on Twitter.
The draft law stipulates that priority shall be given the Yazidi women who wish to work for the government.
It also aims to recognize the 2014 events as a “genocide” and to declare August 3, the day ISIS attacked Sinjar, as a national holiday.
A special committee shall be established on Yazidi issues that is linked to parliament.
“It will provide the required care, housing and studying opportunities for Yazidi women as well as address the legal status for children born during these circumstances,” the office said.
The draft was compiled on March 28, according to Mr Salih’s office.
It remains unclear when parliament will vote on the new law.
Nadia Murad, a Yazidi woman who escaped ISIS captivity and won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for her activism against sexual violence, participated in the discussion of the draft bill with Mr Salih.
She was one of an estimated 3,000 Yazidi women and girls who were kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery.
Followers of the Yazidi faith were regarded as "devil-worshippers" by ISIS.
Although Iraq declared victory over ISIS in 2017, it has yet to declare ISIS crimes against the Yazidis as “genocide” despite the UN’s recognition.
But the decision was welcomed by Faris Keti, who served as an adviser to the late Prince Tahseen, the head of the world’s Yazidi community.
"Even though the decision came very late, its appreciated because any campaign or initiative to help those victims and survivors to get their right and pay the while of justice forward is more than welcome," Mr Keti told The National.
He expressed hope that the bill will be passed by parliament and urged for more action to be taken to protect Yazidi survivors.
Last month Iraq's government started exhuming a mass grave left behind by the terror group in north-western Sinjar, where Yazidis are believed to have been buried.
Thousands of Yazidi members are still unaccounted for and the majority of the community has yet to return home.
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
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Investment: $5.2 million
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The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The years Ramadan fell in May
