U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Reaffirms Support for Yazidi Justice in Meeting with Nobel Laureate Nadia Murad
In a poignant meeting underscoring the ongoing struggle for justice and recovery, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated America's steadfast commitment to the Yazidi community during a session with Nobel laureate Nadia Murad on Tuesday.
"I reiterated our unwavering support for justice and recovery for Yezidis and other survivors of genocide in Iraq and Syria," Blinken declared, encapsulating the gravity of the situation.
Met with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Yezidi human rights activist @NadiaMuradBasee. I reiterated our unwavering support for justice and recovery for Yezidis and other survivors of genocide in Iraq and Syria. pic.twitter.com/QUNKAniPoK
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 6, 2024
The Yazidi community faced unimaginable horrors at the hands of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014, as the extremist group unleashed a campaign of genocide upon capturing Shingal. Men and older women were mercilessly massacred, while women and children were subjected to unspeakable atrocities, including enslavement. Villages and towns lay in ruins as survivors were forced to seek refuge in camps scattered across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, the plight of the Yazidis remains dire. Thousands languish in camps, unable to return home due to persistent insecurity and the lack of essential reconstruction efforts.
The year 2020 saw a glimmer of hope with an agreement signed between Erbil and Baghdad concerning the governance and security of Shingal. This agreement aimed to address longstanding issues hindering the return of displaced Yazidis to their homeland.
Nadia Murad, herself a survivor of ISIS brutality and a beacon of resilience, has tirelessly championed the cause of accountability for the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Collaborating closely with the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Murad has spearheaded efforts to facilitate the safe return of survivors to the Yazidi heartland of Shingal.
As Murad continues to advocate for justice and healing, her meeting with Secretary Blinken serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by the Yazidi community and the imperative for unwavering international support in their quest for justice and recovery.
