ISIS carried out acts of genocide when it attacked the Yazidi people, the UK government said on Tuesday.
The Islamic extremist group held large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria when it persecuted members of the Yazidi religious minority in 2014, killing thousands, enslaving 7,000 women and girls and displacing most of the 550,000-strong community from their ancestral home in northern Iraq.
The House of Commons voted to condemn ISIS’s treatment of Yazidis and Christians in Iraq as genocide two years later in 2016, in a rare instance of parliamentary determination of the practice.
But at the time the foreign ministry refused to acknowledge it officially, in keeping with a long-standing policy on the determination of genocide by “competent courts” rather than governments.
This occurred this year in Germany, when the conviction of a former ISIS fighter for acts of genocide and crimes against humanity was confirmed.
The verdict, originally delivered in 2021, was upheld in January after the court rejected the defendant's appeal.
The UK Government's ruling, the first worldwide to recognise crimes against the Yazidi community as genocide, was praised by activists as a historic win for the minority.
“The Yazidi population suffered immensely at the hands of [ISIS] nine years ago and the repercussions are still felt to this day. Justice and accountability are key for those whose lives have been devastated,” said the UK's Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad.
“Today we have made the historic acknowledgement that acts of genocide were committed against the Yazidi people. This determination only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that they receive the compensation owed to them and are able to access meaningful justice.
“The UK will continue to play a leading role in eradicating [ISIS], including through rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda.”
The decision marks the fifth time the UK has acknowledged the occurrence of genocidal acts, after the Holocaust, Rwanda, Srebrenica and Cambodia.
Yazidis, who are ethnically Kurdish, follow a religion derived from elements of Zoroastrianism – an ancient Persian faith, Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
Iraqi artist depicts Yazidi heritage – in pictures
Yazidis believe in a supreme being, known as Yasdan, the creator, who has seven angels. They include Melek Tawwus, or the Peacock angel, who fell from grace but was forgiven and returned to God, to whom he is considered inseparable.
Yazidis pray to Melek Tawwus five times a day. He is also known as Shaytan, meaning devil in Arabic, which led to unjust claims that members are devil worshippers.
UN investigators had claimed to have found clear evidence that genocide was committed by ISIS against Yazidis.
A UN report in 2016 found an ISIS offensive against the group which began in August 2014 “sought to destroy the Yazidis”, with killings and “sexual slavery, enslavement, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment and forcible transfer”.
More than 5,000 people were reportedly killed by the terrorist group.
Lord Ahmad made the announcement ahead of events marking the nine-year anniversary of the atrocities.
A commemoration event in Baghdad to mark the decision has been organised by Yazidi civil society organisations.
The UK’s Ambassador to Iraq, Steve Hitchen, will attend and confirm the UK’s announcement, said the government.
Drought in Iraq reveals Yazidi shrine, cemetery and school – in pictures
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: Assyad, Victoria Larsen, Eric Lemartinel.
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m
Winner: Mashhur Al Khalediah, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Phillip Collington.
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
