Statement by the Tánaiste on the Yazidi atrocity

Tomorrow, on 3 August, we will mark the 10th Anniversary of the beginning of the abominable atrocities committed by Da’esh/ISIS on the Yazidi people in Sinjar.

In these horrific acts, about 5,000 people were killed, more than 6,000 women and children were taken into slavery and two thirds of the Yazidi population, numbering over 400,000 were displaced from Northern Iraq. Those taken into slavery were subjected to acts of violence, domestic servitude, forced conscription and sexual violence, including forced marriage to DA’esh fighters and being forcibly converted to Islam.

The Yazidi community continues to suffer the consequences of these atrocities. At least 2,800 women and children are still missing and many of those responsible have not faced justice.

We remember this anniversary, with a continued call for accountability for these crimes against humanity and for the urgent need to uphold human rights.

Ireland will mark the anniversary with an event in September, in collaboration with Yazda, a global community-led institution that protects and champions all religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq. The event will focus on the need for justice and explore the way forward for the Yazidi community in Iraq.