Gendered Narratives of Genocide and the Ethics of Storytelling: An Analysis of Civil Society Representations of the Yazidi Genocide Michelle Elizabeth Ringrose Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Justice Bachelor of Justice (Honours) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy School of Justice | Faculty of Law Queensland University of Technology 2020 Keywords Advocacy Civil society Conflict related sexual violence Feminist research ethic Framing theory Gender Genocide Narratives Resistance Survivors Yazidi ii Abstract Civil society advocacy remains a vital tool to mobilise action during and after genocide. Yet, narratives used in civil society advocacy commonly reinforce colonial and patriarchal assumptions that position women as inherently vulnerable and victimised. The central argument of this thesis is that despite progress made at an institutional level addressing and responding to conflict related sexual violence, the dominant framing of the experiences of women and girls has not changed. This thesis explores the way narratives reproduce gendered insecurities in advocacy surrounding the Yazidi genocide perpetrated by Islamic State, asking the central question: why do gendered narratives of genocide persist in advocacy? Through a critical feminist analysis this thesis moves beyond conceptualising women, who are survivors of sexual violence in conflict, through a dichotomy of agency and victimisation and instead focuses on which narratives are prioritised and silenced to consider the consequences this has on understanding gendered experiences of genocide. It draws on an analysis of the advocacy material of twelve civil society and advocacy organisations, and interviews conducted with advocacy practitioners, finding that there is a strong focus on narratives of sexual violence that foregrounds the victimhood of women and girls, which ‘fixes’ their oppression on gendered and racialised terrains. This thesis suggests that this narrative has consequences for the wellbeing of survivors and that such a focus is sustained through the complex socio- political dynamics of advocacy organisations. Examining the framing of advocacy material is a productive way of conceptualising the gendered dimensions of genocide and presents a unique point of analysis for examining atrocity crimes from a feminist criminological perspective. This thesis seeks to inform an advocacy perspective that considers the gendered dimensions of conflict while also taking into consideration the agency and dignity of survivors. The enduring focus on narratives of sexual violence does not address the root cause of conflict related sexual violence and instead presents a reductive narrative of vulnerability, iii victimisation and violation. This thesis specifically examines the ways genocidal crimes are framed in gendered ways by civil society, the consequences of the dominant focus on narratives of sexual violence, and the political context and variables that lead to this dominance. This thesis concludes by suggesting that narratives of resistance could positively reframe the way women and girls are positioned in advocacy and break down gendered tropes to help enable programming, aid and intervention to address the underlying inequality that leads to sexual violence in conflict. iv Contents Keywords ................................................................................................................................................... ii Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................... iii List of Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................................................. x Statement of Original Authorship .................................................................................................. xi Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. xii 1 Chapter One: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Theoretical Foundation .......................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Civil Society Advocacy and Conflict .................................................................................. 6 1.3 Gender and Conflict ................................................................................................................ 7 1.4 Case Study .................................................................................................................................. 9 1.4.1 August 3, 2014 ................................................................................................................ 10 1.4.2 Advocacy Context .......................................................................................................... 11 1.5 Feminist Research Ethic ...................................................................................................... 14 1.6 Structure of thesis ................................................................................................................. 15 1.7 Thesis Contribution .............................................................................................................. 18 2 Chapter Two: Background and Literature Review ............................................................. 20 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 20 2.2 Representing Narratives of Sexual Violence in Advocacy .................................... 21 2.3 Civil Society Advocacy ......................................................................................................... 22 2.3.1 Civil Society Advocacy and Human Rights .......................................................... 23 2.3.2 Civil Society Advocacy and Movement Mobilisation ‘Success’ ................... 25 2.3.3 Agenda Setting ............................................................................................................... 28 2.4 Language .................................................................................................................................. 29 v 2.5 Genocide ................................................................................................................................... 31 2.5.1 Genocide and Criminology ........................................................................................ 33 2.5.2 Gender and Genocide .................................................................................................. 34 2.5.3 Women’s Bodies as Sites of Violence .................................................................... 37 2.5.4 Men and Boys .................................................................................................................. 40 2.6 The Gendered Nature of the Yazidi Genocide .......................................................... 42 2.6.1 Treatment of Yazidi Men and Boys Twelve and Over ..................................... 42 2.6.2 Treatment of Yazidi Boys Seven to Twelve .......................................................... 43 2.6.3 Treatment of Women and Girls ................................................................................ 44 2.6.3.1 Separation and Forcible Transfer .................................................................... 44 2.6.3.2 Sexual Slavery and Rape ..................................................................................... 44 2.6.4 Legal Analysis .................................................................................................................. 46 2.6.4.1 The Yazidis as a Protected Group ................................................................... 47 2.6.4.2 Elements of Genocide .......................................................................................... 48 2.6.4.3 Intent to Destroy .................................................................................................... 51 2.6.4.4 International Politics Surrounding the Yazidi Genocide ........................ 52 2.6.4.5 Accountability ......................................................................................................... 54 2.7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 59 3 Chapter Three: Methodology .................................................................................................... 61 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 61 3.2 Framing Theory ...................................................................................................................... 61 3.3 Narrative Theory .................................................................................................................... 66 3.3.1 Simple Storylines ............................................................................................................ 67 3.3.2 Gendered Narratives ..................................................................................................... 68 vi 3.4 My Feminist Research Ethic .............................................................................................. 70