Minorities in Iraq Memory, Identity and Challenges
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The Mandaeans
The Mandaeans A Story of Survival in the Modern World PHOTO: DAVID MAURICE SMITH / OCULI refugees and spoken to immigration officials in Aus- The Mandaeans appear to be one of the most tralian embassies and international NGOs about their misunderstood and vulnerable groups. Apart from being desperate plight. She laments that the conditions in a small community, even fewer than Yazidis, they do which they live are far worse than she could have ever not belong to a large religious organisation or have imagined, and she fears they may have been forgotten links with powerful tribes that can protect them, so by the international community overwhelmed by the their vulnerability makes them an easy target. To make massive displacement and the humanitarian disaster matters worse they are scattered all over the country, caused by the Syrian civil war. so they are the only minority group in Iraq without a There is no doubt that more of a decade of sectarian safe enclave. If the violence persists, it is feared their infighting has had a devastating impact on Iraqi society ancient culture and religion will be lost forever. as a whole. But religious minority groups have borne the brunt of the violence. For the past 14 years Mand- andaeans have a long history of per- aeans, like many other minorities, have been subjected secution. Their survival into the modern to persecution, murder, kidnappings, displacement, world is little short of a miracle. Their forced conversion to Islam, forced marriage, cruel M origins can be traced to the Jordan treatment, confiscation of assets including property and Valley area and it is thought that they may have migrated the destruction of their cultural and religious heritage. -
COI Note on the Situation of Yazidi Idps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
COI Note on the Situation of Yazidi IDPs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq May 20191 Contents 1) Access to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) ................................................................... 2 2) Humanitarian / Socio-Economic Situation in the KR-I ..................................................... 2 a) Shelter ........................................................................................................................................ 3 b) Employment .............................................................................................................................. 4 c) Education ................................................................................................................................... 6 d) Mental Health ............................................................................................................................ 8 e) Humanitarian Assistance ...................................................................................................... 10 3) Returns to Sinjar District........................................................................................................ 10 In August 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) seized the districts of Sinjar, Tel Afar and the Ninewa Plains, leading to a mass exodus of Yazidis, Christians and other religious communities from these areas. Soon, reports began to surface regarding war crimes and serious human rights violations perpetrated by ISIS and associated armed groups. These included the systematic -
Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Assessment Report Idps RESPONSE in IRAQ
MIRA Multi-Cluster/Sector Initial Assessment Report IDPs RESPONSE IN IRAQ PROVINCE OF NINEWAH AND ERBIL Conducted by PAO On behalf of June 17-23rd Contents 1. Background page 4 2. Objectives page 5 3. Methodology page 6 4. Key Findings by sector page 8 CP page 8 Shelter /NFI page 11 WASH page 12 Food Security & Livelihood page 13 Health Page 15 MIRA Assessment Page 3 1. Background THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS Save the Children (SC) has been working on the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of Syrian refugees in Iraq since the start of Syrian crisis. The organization has responded to the crisis via support to refugees in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. With the new crisis caused by ISIS in Mosul and Ambar provinces in Iraq, SC has a humanitarian imperative to intensify its response within the country, requiring assistance to internally displaced people (IDP). SC has also partnered with national based organizations to reach off limit places due to security challenges. People Aid Organization (PAO) has conducted the assessment on behalf of Save the Children from June 17th to June 23rd 2014. PAO organization has been working on responding to the crisis in Syria since September 2013 through “protection and humanitarian aid program”, in which PAO in partnership with international non-governmental organizations and UN agencies which have worked on child protection and humanitarian assistants in both Iraq and Syria. SCI and PAO have worked jointly during Syria crisis to response to the needs of children in the north of Iraq and north east Syria. Additionally, with the start of recent crisis in Nenawa and other provinces in Iraq, both SCI and PAO have worked closely to identify and respond to the needs of children. -
Report on the Protection of Civilians in the Armed Conflict in Iraq
HUMAN RIGHTS UNAMI Office of the United Nations United Nations Assistance Mission High Commissioner for for Iraq – Human Rights Office Human Rights Report on the Protection of Civilians in the Armed Conflict in Iraq: 11 December 2014 – 30 April 2015 “The United Nations has serious concerns about the thousands of civilians, including women and children, who remain captive by ISIL or remain in areas under the control of ISIL or where armed conflict is taking place. I am particularly concerned about the toll that acts of terrorism continue to take on ordinary Iraqi people. Iraq, and the international community must do more to ensure that the victims of these violations are given appropriate care and protection - and that any individual who has perpetrated crimes or violations is held accountable according to law.” − Mr. Ján Kubiš Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq, 12 June 2015, Baghdad “Civilians continue to be the primary victims of the ongoing armed conflict in Iraq - and are being subjected to human rights violations and abuses on a daily basis, particularly at the hands of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Ensuring accountability for these crimes and violations will be paramount if the Government is to ensure justice for the victims and is to restore trust between communities. It is also important to send a clear message that crimes such as these will not go unpunished’’ - Mr. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 12 June 2015, Geneva Contents Summary ...................................................................................................................................... i Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. -
The Politics of Security in Ninewa: Preventing an ISIS Resurgence in Northern Iraq
The Politics of Security in Ninewa: Preventing an ISIS Resurgence in Northern Iraq Julie Ahn—Maeve Campbell—Pete Knoetgen Client: Office of Iraq Affairs, U.S. Department of State Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Advisor: Meghan O’Sullivan Policy Analysis Exercise Seminar Leader: Matthew Bunn May 7, 2018 This Policy Analysis Exercise reflects the views of the authors and should not be viewed as representing the views of the US Government, nor those of Harvard University or any of its faculty. Acknowledgements We would like to express our gratitude to the many people who helped us throughout the development, research, and drafting of this report. Our field work in Iraq would not have been possible without the help of Sherzad Khidhir. His willingness to connect us with in-country stakeholders significantly contributed to the breadth of our interviews. Those interviews were made possible by our fantastic translators, Lezan, Ehsan, and Younis, who ensured that we could capture critical information and the nuance of discussions. We also greatly appreciated the willingness of U.S. State Department officials, the soldiers of Operation Inherent Resolve, and our many other interview participants to provide us with their time and insights. Thanks to their assistance, we were able to gain a better grasp of this immensely complex topic. Throughout our research, we benefitted from consultations with numerous Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) faculty, as well as with individuals from the larger Harvard community. We would especially like to thank Harvard Business School Professor Kristin Fabbe and Razzaq al-Saiedi from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative who both provided critical support to our project. -
Protecting Yazidi Cultural Heritage Through Women: an International Feminist Law Analysis
G Model CULHER-3355; No. of Pages 7 ARTICLE IN PRESS Journal of Cultural Heritage xxx (2017) xxx–xxx Available online at ScienceDirect www.sciencedirect.com Original article Protecting Yazidi cultural heritage through women: An international feminist law analysis a,b,∗ Sara De Vido a Ca’ Foscari University, San Giobbe, Cannaregio 873, 30121 Venezia, Italy b Manchester International Law Centre, UK a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: The purpose of this article is to consider, from an international law perspective, the relationship existing Received 25 May 2017 between violence, gender, and culture, referring to the specific situation of women belonging to the Yazidi Accepted 12 February 2018 minority, who have been abducted, raped, and sold by the Islamic State. I will demonstrate that women Available online xxx can be those who, despite huge suffering, will be able to preserve the unique culture of this minority during post-conflict situations. From an international law perspective, I will investigate the possibility Keywords: that the crimes committed against the Yazidis are brought before the International Criminal Court, and Yazidis I will recommend that a women’s tribunal be established in order to give voice to the victims/survivors. Women I will demonstrate that the participation of women during the negotiations for peace in post-conflict Violence situations is essential, and that the protection of intangible cultural heritage through women could be Intangible cultural heritage Criminal justice achieved learning the lesson from preceding successful experiences. Women’s tribunals © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. -
Yazidis and the Original Religion of the Near East | Indistinct Union: Chri
Yazidis and the Original Religion of the Near East | Indistinct Union: Chri... http://indistinctunion.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/yazidis-and-the-original... Indistinct Union: Christianity, Integral Philosophy, and Politics Yazidis and the Original Religion of the Near East The horrific bombing in the Kurdish regions around Kirkuk (death toll estimates currently at 400) targeted the Yazidis, a smallish Kurdish (but non-Muslim) sect. The Ys tended to separate themselves from the Peshmerge (the Kurdish military), which likely resulted in their being left vulnerable to this brutal attack. (For interviews with some Yazidis, here via BBC). Who are theologically the Yazidis ? For repeat readers, they will know I support the (somewhat) controversial thesis of Christian scholar Margaret Barker (known as Royal Temple Theology). Barker’s first work is titled The Older Testament. A brilliant way to describe her point of view–namely that the Judaism that comes across in the Hebrew Bible we currently have has been massively (re)edited, more than most scholars will admit, by the Deuteronomic/Rabbinic schools of Judaism. The Older Testament (as opposed to the “Old Testament” of the Deutro. school) included the belief in two g/Gods. The first was the High God (El, Elyon) who had “sons” (angelic beings). Each angel, known as an angel of the nation, was chosen for a specific people. As above so below. i.e. When their was war on earth between two peoples, their angels were fighting in heaven. Hence all the Psalms rousing YHWH (Israel’s Angel/god) to fight. The second G/god then is YHWH for Israel. -
Memorabilia. Collecting Sounds With…
Research > MEMORABILIA. COLLECTING MEMORABILIA. COLLECTING SOUNDS WITH… Memorabilia. Collecting Sounds with... is a new series from SOUNDS WITH… Ràdio Web MACBA that seeks to break through to unearth and reveal private collections of music and sound memorabilia . The Mark Gergis documentary series is being presented this spring at the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) in a prospective conference/listening format, where four collectors have been 01. Conversation with Mark Gergis on his sound collection invited to share the concerns and particular characteristics that have driven them to build their personal collections. This is a When did you start collecting sound and music and why? What lead you to be a historiography of sound collecting that reveals the unseen and record/sound/video collector? passionate work of the amateur collector while reconstructing multiple parallel histories such as the evolution of recording I've mapped out my own psychology and deduced it to this recipe: I have an Iraqi formats, archival issues, the sound collecting market and the background. My father comes from Baghdad and I was subsequently exposed to evolution of musical styles beyond the marketplace. Arabic music and culture throughout childhood. My mother is American. Her father was in high-level military radio intelligence and used to let me listen or talk This is a conversation by email between Mark Gergis and Anna on his state-of-the-art super-powered radio receivers in the seventies and eighties. Ramos to prepare his forthcoming radio show at Ràdio Web He'd point at an automated antennae-driven globe and ask where and who in the MACBA, which took place on March 2011. -
The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict
The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict Dave van Zoonen Khogir Wirya About MERI The Middle East Research Institute engages in policy issues contributing to the process of state building and democratisation in the Middle East. Through independent analysis and policy debates, our research aims to promote and develop good governance, human rights, rule of law and social and economic prosperity in the region. It was established in 2014 as an independent, not-for-profit organisation based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Middle East Research Institute 1186 Dream City Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq T: +964 (0)662649690 E: [email protected] www.meri-k.org NGO registration number. K843 © Middle East Research Institute, 2017 The opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of MERI, the copyright holder. Please direct all enquiries to the publisher. The Yazidis Perceptions of Reconciliation and Conflict MERI Policy Paper Dave van Zoonen Khogir Wirya October 2017 1 Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................4 2. “Reconciliation” after genocide .........................................................................................................5 -
Kurdistan Rising? Considerations for Kurds, Their Neighbors, and the Region
KURDISTAN RISING? CONSIDERATIONS FOR KURDS, THEIR NEIGHBORS, AND THE REGION Michael Rubin AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE Kurdistan Rising? Considerations for Kurds, Their Neighbors, and the Region Michael Rubin June 2016 American Enterprise Institute © 2016 by the American Enterprise Institute. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any man- ner whatsoever without permission in writing from the American Enterprise Institute except in the case of brief quotations embodied in news articles, critical articles, or reviews. The views expressed in the publications of the American Enterprise Institute are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, advisory panels, officers, or trustees of AEI. American Enterprise Institute 1150 17th St. NW Washington, DC 20036 www.aei.org. Cover image: Grand Millennium Sualimani Hotel in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, by Diyar Muhammed, Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons. Contents Executive Summary 1 1. Who Are the Kurds? 5 2. Is This Kurdistan’s Moment? 19 3. What Do the Kurds Want? 27 4. What Form of Government Will Kurdistan Embrace? 56 5. Would Kurdistan Have a Viable Economy? 64 6. Would Kurdistan Be a State of Law? 91 7. What Services Would Kurdistan Provide Its Citizens? 101 8. Could Kurdistan Defend Itself Militarily and Diplomatically? 107 9. Does the United States Have a Coherent Kurdistan Policy? 119 Notes 125 Acknowledgments 137 About the Author 139 iii Executive Summary wo decades ago, most US officials would have been hard-pressed Tto place Kurdistan on a map, let alone consider Kurds as allies. Today, Kurds have largely won over Washington. -
Iraq Main to Printer 3
U.S. POLICY IN POST-SADDAM IRAQ LESSONS FROM THE BRITISH EXPERIENCE Edited by Michael Eisenstadt and Eric Mathewson THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, re- cording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. © 2003 by The Washington Institute for Near East Policy Published in 2003 in the United States of America by The Washing- ton Institute for Near East Policy, 1828 L Street NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20036. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data U.S. policy in post-Saddam Iraq : lessons from the British experience/ edited by Michael Eisenstadt and Eric Mathewson. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-944029-84-1 1. Iraq—Relations—Great Britain. 2. Great Britain—Relations—Iraq. 3. World War, 1914–1918—Iraq. 4. World War, 1939–1945— Iraq. 5. National state. I. Title: U.S. policy in post-Saddam Iraq. II. Eisenstadt, Michael. III. Mathewson, Eric, 1959– IV. Washington Institute for Near East Policy. DS70.96.G7U15 2003 327.410567'09'04—dc21 2003004627 Cover inset photograph of Faysal ibn Husayn with his delegates and advisors at the Versailles peace conference in 1919 © Bettmann/Corbis. Behind him in the picture are (left to right) his private secretary and fellow delegate Rustum Haydar; Brigadier General Nuri al-Sa‘id of Baghdad; Captain Rosario Pisani of France; Colonel T. E. -
Newsletter 25
THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF IRAQ المعھد البريطاني لدراسة العراق NEWSLETTER NO. 25 May 2010 THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF IRAQ (GERTRUDE BELL MEMORIAL) REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1135395 & NO. 219948 A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 6966984 THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF IRAQ at the British Academy 10, CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE LONDON SW1Y 5AH, UK E-mail: [email protected] Tel. + 44 (0) 20 7969 5274 Fax + 44 (0) 20 7969 5401 Web-site: http://www.bisi.ac.uk The next BISI Newsletter will be published in November 2010. Brief contributions are welcomed on recent research, publications, members’ news and events. They should be sent to BISI by post or e-mail (preferred) to arrive by 15 October 2010. The BISI Administrator Joan Porter MacIver edits the Newsletter. Cover: An etching of a Sumerian cylinder seal impression by Tessa Rickards, which is the cover image of the forthcoming BISI publication, Your Praise is Sweet – A Memorial Volume for Jeremy Black from students, colleagues and friends edited by Heather D. Baker, Eleanor Robson and Gábor Zólyomi (further details p. 32). THE BRITISH INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF IRAQ THE BRITISH(GERTRUDE INSTITUTE BELL FOR MEMORIAL) THE STUDY OF IRAQ STATEMENT(GERTRUDE OF BELL PUBLIC MEMORIAL) BENEFIT STATEMENT OF PUBLIC BENEFIT ‘To advance research and public education relating to Iraq and the neighbouring‘To advance countriesresearch inand anthropology, public education archaeology, relating geography,to Iraq and history, the languageneighbouring and countriesrelated disciplines in anthropology, within archaeology,the arts, humanities geography, and history, social sciences.’language and related disciplines within the arts, humanities and social sciences.’ • BISI supports high-quality research across its academic remit by • makingBISI supports grants and high-quality providing expertresearch advice across and itsinput.