A Decade after the Yazidi Genocide: Overcoming Obstacles on the Road to Recovery and Justice is an event dedicated to advancing the future of the Yazidi community.
August 3, 2024, marked the 10th anniversary of the genocide against the Yazidis. Despite the passage of a decade, significant efforts to grant them justice and ensure a sustainable future remain lacking. Many survivors still face uncertain futures in refugee camps across Iraq and neighboring countries like Turkey, without any realistic prospects for return to their home or a future elsewhere.
UNITAD, the key international team responsible for gathering and analyzing evidence of crimes committed by the Islamic State in Iraq will be closing their operations this September. However, much of their important work remains unfinished. With time running out, it's uncertain who, if anyone, will step in to complete this critical task. This closure could result in the loss of valuable evidence and weaken efforts to secure justice for the Yazidi and other affected communities. Ensuring justice for these atrocities is essential. Dutch nationals have also been implicated in crimes against the Yazidi, and this October, the first trial of a Dutch ISIS fighter will begin.
Organised by Stichting Vluchteling, the Yazidi Legal Network, and Yazda, this conference aims to bring together survivors, experts, policymakers, and politicians to discuss and strategise on overcoming the challenges facing Yazidi survivors today. The event will be conducted in Kurdish Kurmanji and English.
Key Objectives:
Reflect on the enduring impacts of the genocide against the Yazidi community.
Explore strategies for recovery and justice.
Strengthen global and local support systems for Yazidi survivors.
Event Overview
Organised By
Event Details
Peace Palace (Vredespaleis), The Hague
Location
Event Agenda
AFTERNOON SESSION
13:00 - 13:45
Registration
Welcome + Introduction
Tineke Ceelen: Director Stichting Vluchteling
Dr. Ali Hilal Al-Hadi: Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq
Dr. Dindar Zebari: Deputy Minister and International Advocacy Coordinator for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
14:00 - 14:15
14:15 - 14:30
Survivor perspectives: Naveen
A former radio presenter and journalist who has bravely sought justice in Germany, participating in the trial against a German perpetrator of the genocide. Naveen will share her journey from captivity to the courtroom, highlighting the importance of international justice. Her testimony was crucial in the prosecution's case and led to the conviction of her captor. Naveen will also discuss her upcoming documentary “What About Justice For Us?” that starts with the first seconds of her escape from ISIS and explores her subsequent journey to seek justice, offering insight into both the challenges she faced and the process of rebuilding her life.
14:30 - 14:45
Survivor perspectives: Qassim
Coordinator of the Hope Givers Network who can provide valuable insights into the often overlooked and underreported plight of Yazidi boys who were abducted, enslaved and often times forced to serve as child soldiers.
14:45 - 15:30
Workshop by Drs. Lana Al Atar | Transgenerational Trauma and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Understanding the Lasting Effects and the Gendered Forms of Genocide Against the Yazidi and Other Minorities
This workshop delves into the profound and lasting impacts of transgenerational trauma, exploring how the scars of conflict and violence are passed down across generations, particularly within vulnerable communities such as the Yazidi and other minorities. Special focus is given to conflict-related sexual violence, emphasizing the gendered forms of genocide that specifically targets communities first and second generation of survivors. This study underscores the critical need for ongoing and structural support to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of the genocide(s).
15:30 - 15:45
Break
15:45 - 16:30
Panel Discussion | Exploring Humanitarian Responses, Unmet Needs, and Pathways to Continuous Support
Discussion on humanitarian context and response, gaps, needs and innovative solutions.
Featuring
Jacob Wiersma: Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Iraq
Natia Navrouzov: Executive Director at Yazda
Sarab Nayif Issa: Yazidi Advocate
Luke Korlaar: UNHCR
Wahhab Hassoo: NL Help Yezidis
16:30 - 17:15
Panel Discussion | Road to Justice: Navigating Challenges and Accountability for ISIS Crimes and the Role of the Netherlands
Examining efforts and challenges in seeking justice and reparations for victims, with a focus on crimes committed by Dutch/European ISIS fighters and the role and responsibility of the Netherlands.
Featuring
Rosalind Sipos: Legal Officer, International Independent and Impartial Mechanism for Syria (IIIM) · United Nations
Dr. Dindar Zebari: Deputy Minister and International Advocacy Coordinator for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
Natia Navrouzov: Executive Director at Yazda
Anne van Dooren: Dutch Public Prosecution Service – War Crimes Unit (Openbaar Ministerie)
Jela Keyany: Legal and Investigations Advisor at Yazidi Legal Network
17:15 - 17:30
Keynote Address
Caspar Veldkamp: Minister of Foreign Affairs
Plenary | Reflection on the way-forward
Survivors, speakers and politicians reflect on possible (political) solutions.
Isa Kahraman: New Social Contract (NSC)
Daniëlle Hirsch: PVDA/GL
17:30 - 17:50
17:50 - 18:00
Closing Remarks
Reflections on the most important outcomes of the day.
18:00 - 19:15
Dinner
EVENING SESSION
19:15 - 20:30
Documentary Screening
Daughters of the Sun by Reber Dosky
20:30 - 21:30
After - Talk and Q&A Session
Discussion with documentary participants and broader discussions with other Yazidi survivors.
21:30 - 21:40
Closure Evening
The event will also feature "Nobody's Listening," an award-winning Virtual Reality initiative that commemorates the Yazidi genocide by ISIS in 2014.
This immersive VR experience, filmed in Sinjar, allows participants to walk through crime scenes and hear powerful testimonies from survivors. Thikran Mato, a Yazidi activist and survivor, will lead the VR sessions and offer insights into the current situation and advocacy options afterward.
"Nobody's Listening" has been globally showcased, including at the Parliament of Iraq, ZKM | Center for Art and Media, and the US Institute of Peace. It is currently displayed at events across Iraq marking the 10th anniversary and has been used in UK schools to counter extremism.
This initiative is a partnership between Yazda and Upstream International.
Practical Details
Venue Information
The Peace Palace, located in The Hague, is an iconic symbol of international diplomacy and justice. Home to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Hague Academy of International Law, the Peace Palace has long been a center for promoting peace and resolving international disputes. Its historic significance make it a fitting venue for discussions on justice and resilience.
Accessibility: The Peace Palace is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you require special accommodations, please inform us in advance.
Security: Please ensure that you register by the deadline to facilitate security arrangements. We recommend to arrive early to allow time for security checks. Identification document is required. Due to safety and security requirements, you will not be allowed without identification documents.
Address: Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)70 302 4160
Website: www.peacepalace.org
Registration
Virtual Attendance:
For those who prefer to join us online, please register before 18:00 CET on 16th September 2024 using the form below to receive a link to the livestream of the event.
In-Person Attendance:
To attend the conference in person, please register before 18:00 CET on 16th September 2024 by using the form below. Due to venue capacity and security requirements, early registration is advised.
Please note: Registration is mandatory for both in-person and virtual attendance. Please fill out the form correctly. Please make sure the names on the form match your ID exactly, or entry to the premises may not be facilitated. Visitors must bring with them their identification card or passport. Thanks for your understanding!
Important Information
Contact:
For any questions or further information, please reach out to us at info@yazidilegalnetwork.org with the subject line: Yazidi Conference Inquiry.
Support The Cause
Learn more about how you can support Yazidi survivors and contribute to their path toward justice and resilience by visiting the support pages of Yazidi Legal Network, Stichting Vluchteling and Yazda.
We look forward to welcoming you to this important conference and working together towards meaningful progress for the Yazidi community.
Conference Speakers
Naveen
Naveen, a 24-year-old Yazidi journalist from Shingal, Iraq, was abducted by ISIS in 2014 and held captive for five years, enduring severe exploitation by various foreign fighters. After multiple failed escape attempts, she was finally rescued in 2019 from the Al-Hol camp in Syria. One of her captors was later prosecuted and sentenced by a German court. Following her liberation, Naveen reunited with her family and has been admitted to Australia through their humanitarian admission programme. As a survivor of the Yazidi genocide, she is now dedicated to sharing her story through journalism and advocating for justice, inspiring many with her resilience.
Fawziya
Fawziya, born in 2009 in Shingal was just five years old when she was abducted by ISIS and separated from her parents, who are still missing. Over two years, she was sold multiple times before being rescued by smugglers. Now still a teenager, Fawziya cares for her two younger brothers after her older brother was killed in Syria. Despite leaving school, she manages the household alone. Her story is featured in Reber Dosky's documentary "Daughters of the Sun," and she will speak during the evening Q&A session, highlighting her resilience.
Sarab
Sarab was abducted by ISIS at the age of 11 and endured years of enslavement, being trafficked through multiple locations by various perpetrators, both local and foreign. Eventually, Sarab was rescued by a Kurdish militia group and now lives in the Kurdistan Region. She is a committed advocate for the Yazidi community, seeking justice for herself and other survivors of the ISIS genocide. Her story is also featured in Reber Dosky’s "Daughters of the Sun," and she will share her journey and advocacy efforts during the evening's Q&A session.
Benjamin Caton (Moderator)
Benjamin Caton is a moderator and opinion leader. He coordinates justice, inclusivity, and equality efforts at Greenpeace and is well-known for his insights on colonialism, migration, housing, and queer identity. His dedication to social justice is demonstrated by his 3.5 years as a volunteer captain at Woondiversiteit, a housing project for refugees and Dutch-born residents and as the founder of the Decolonial Indonesia-Netherlands Commemoration.
Anne van Dooren
Anne has progressively delved into core international crimes investigations and has vast experience in public prosecution. Equipped with the skills learned from her experience, Anne dedicated her efforts full-time to criminal investigations into core international crimes, leading a dynamic team at the National Public Prosecution Service. This includes collaborative efforts with the counter-terrorism team to investigate Dutch foreign terrorist fighters affiliated with ISIS. Furthermore, Anne is actively engaged in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) led by Sweden, investigating crimes against the Yazidi community.
Luke Korlaar
Luke Korlaar has been working for over 18 years with UNHCR in various capacities. He started with UNHCR Bosnia and Herzegovina, after which he worked in Headquarters on asylum procedures. From 2009 - 2014 he worked in the Middle East region (Syria, Tunisia and Lebanon) on resettlement of refugees. Since 2014 he is working with UNHCR the Netherlands on national asylum and refugee policy.
Isa Kahraman
Isa Kahraman (1974) has been a member of the House of Representatives for Nieuw Sociaal Contract (New Social Contract) since December 6, 2023. Mr. Kahraman is the spokesperson for topics related to, amongst others, Foreign Affairs, NATO, and religious minorities abroad. Isa Kahraman was born in Midyat on April 1, 1974. As a Christian, he had few rights in southeastern Turkey, so he came to the Netherlands as a refugee. He entered politics to give something back to Dutch society. For NSC, he advocates for the prosecution and trial of genocide and war crimes and against the persecution of religious minorities, such as Christians and Yazidis in the Middle East. He is a proponent of an international tribunal to prosecute ISIS members and will propose its establishment on an international level. In his view, the perpetrators must be prosecuted.
Dr. Dindar Zebari
Dr. Zebari is a steadfast supporter of human rights and global diplomacy, with a career dedicated to improving conditions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. With a background in government, education, and community activism, Dr. Zebari has shaped policies, encouraged dialogue, and fought for marginalized groups. Since 2005, he has held key positions within the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including Coordinator to the United Nations and Deputy Head of the Foreign Relations Department. He currently serves as the Coordinator for International Advocacy at the KRG, where he advances human rights practices, leveraging his knowledge of United Nations methods and programs.
In addition to his governmental work, Dr. Zebari teaches at the University of Salahaddin and conducts research on international law and Kurdistan identity. His contributions have been widely praised for their thorough analysis and helpful suggestions for improving regional conditions. Dr. Zebari is also active in community organizations, raising awareness about human rights abuses and advocating for justice. He has received numerous awards for promoting human rights and fostering international cooperation. Fluent in Kurdish, Arabic, English, and Persian, Dr. Zebari bridges cultures, promoting understanding and collaboration. His dedication to social justice and extensive experience make him a powerful force for positive change in the Kurdistan Region and beyond.
Qassim Omar
Qassim Omar, born in Tel Qassab village in the Sinjar district, is a dedicated 29-year-old educator and advocate. He graduated from the University of Duhok's College of Education with a specialization in English and completed a Learning Facilitator program at the University of Catholic in Germany. Currently, he serves as the Director of the Hope Givers Network, an organization supporting Yazidi male survivors.
Alongside his directorial role, Qassim has been teaching English for about four years. He is deeply committed to advocating for the rights of male survivors, both within Iraq and internationally, striving to raise awareness and secure justice for them.
Tineke Ceelen
Tineke Ceelen has been the director of Stichting Vluchteling since 2003. Tirelessly and with great dedication, she moves from one crisis zone to another to draw attention to the more than 100 million refugees worldwide. Tineke Ceelen has been working in humanitarian aid since 1993, and for the past two decades, she has led Stichting Vluchteling.
Through her media appearances, she aims to give a voice to the victims of many crises and brings their stories to the forefront in the Netherlands.
Reber Dosky
Reber Dosky is a Dutch documentary filmmaker known for his politically engaged films, many of which focus on Kurdistan. Originally from Dohuk, Kurdistan, he moved to the Netherlands in the late 1990s and studied at the Netherlands Film Academy. He won the IDFA Award in 2016 for Radio Kobani and the Best Dutch Documentary Award at IDFA 2019 for Sidik and the Panther. In 2023, he released Daughters of the Sun, a film about Yazidi women abducted and sold into slavery by ISIS and their efforts to rebuild their lives. The film will be shown during the evening session.
Natia Navrouzov
Natia Navrouzov is the Executive Director of Yazda, an organization focused on justice and support for Yazidi and minority communities in Iraq and Kurdistan affected by ISIS genocide. A Yazidi herself and a French-qualified lawyer, Natia specializes in international law, human rights, and transitional justice. She previously worked in international law in Paris, served as a Research Assistant at the London Court of Arbitration, and taught at Panthéon-Sorbonne University. Natia holds advanced degrees from the University of Cologne, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Columbia University, where she was a Fulbright scholar and Obama Foundation Leader. Since joining Yazda in 2018, Natia has documented ISIS crimes, collaborated with international bodies, and played a key role in the conviction of ISIS members for genocide in Germany. She also helped establish the Yazidi Survivors Network and campaigned for the Yazidi Survivors Law, adopted in 2021.
Rosalind Sipos
Rosalind Sipos is a lawyer specialized in international criminal law and human rights since 2007. She has been a Legal Officer with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM) at the United Nations in Geneva since 2020 where she leads the IIIM’s work related to ISIL crimes. Previously, she worked with the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Da’esh/ISIL Crimes (UNITAD) in Baghdad in 2019. She has held prior legal roles with the OHCHR Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Rosalind holds degrees from the University of Toronto, University of Cambridge, and University of British Columbia.
Jacob Wiersma
A seasoned diplomat with over 20 years of experience, Jacob Wiersma currently serves as Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Iraq. His extensive career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands includes key roles such as Deputy Director in the Office of the Secretary-General and Crisis Coordinator overseeing diplomatic security, crisis management, and integrity. He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the College of Europe and a Bachelor's in International Relations from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
Jela Keyany
Jela Keyany is a criminal justice expert focused on accountability for war victims in Iraq and Syria. She holds advanced degrees in Dutch Law from Utrecht University and International Public Law from the University of Amsterdam, with specializations in International Criminal and Humanitarian Law. Jela's expertise includes investigating conflict related violence such as international core crimes, terrorism, and art crimes under national law (Dutch and Iraqi), and international law. She has worked with organizations like UNHCR, IOM, and the Netherlands Prosecution Service, and currently works with the Yazidi Legal Network to secure justice for Yazidi victims and investigate foreign fighters.
Wahhab Hassoo
Wahhab Hassoo studied Political Science at the Vrije University Amsterdam and specialised in the Middle East region. Born in Iraq and Yazidi himself, he was forced to leave because of the devastating war ravaging his home country and settled in the Netherlands. Since then he has been a Yazidi activist and is determined to be a voice for all victims of war and injustice. He is the co-founder of NL Helpt Yezidis which provides humanitarian aid to Yazidi in Iraq as well as support to Yazidi in the Netherlands.
Daniëlle Hirsch
Daniëlle Hirsch is a Member of the House of Representatives for GroenLinks-PvdA (Greens-Labour) and its spokesperson on the committee of Foreign Trade and Development. In the face of injustice she chooses to speak up for solidarity and a shared future. Before her in time in the House of Representatives, she worked for 10 years as international advisor to local governments, international institutions and companies. As Director for environmental- and human rights organization Both ENDS, she set out to connect people to change Dutch development, trade and investment policies. In the fall of last year, GroenLinks-PvdA submitted a motion for the resettlement of Yazidi from Iraq to the Netherlands that passed with a majority vote in the House of Representatives. The motion wasn't executed by the caretaker government, but with a newly elected government in place, new opportunities might arise.
Drs. Lana Al Atar
Drs. Lana Al Atar is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, psychotherapist (TFP), and trauma therapist (EMDR, Kid-NET). Al Atar has organizedt GGZ Centraal in Veluwe and as a freelance transcultural psychiatrist at the Expertise Centre for Transcultural Therapy in Utrecht. Born in Halabja, she survived the 1988 genocidal gas attack against the Kurds, lived in a refugee camp in Iran, and returned to Sulaymaniyah to complete her medical degree in 1999. After moving to the Netherlands, she earned her medical degree from Maastricht University in 2005 and specialized in child and adolescent psychiatry in 2022. With firsthand experience of war's impact, she has spent 23 years advocating for the mental well-being of Kurds in the Netherlands through various projects. Additionally, Drs. Al Atar has organized and actively contributed to multiple annual commemorations of Halabja on a voluntarily basis.
Caspar Veldkamp
Caspar Veldkamp is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, appointed in July 2024.
Born on 23 April 1964 in Etten-Leur, married Party: New Social Contract (NSC)
