Who cares about the suffering of the Ezidis?

The plight of the Ezidis, who suffered horrific atrocities at the hands of the Islamic State (IS), underscores the critical importance of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD) in seeking justice where the Iraqi government has failed to act.

UNITAD’s mission to investigate and prosecute IS crimes is vital for ensuring accountability for the grave human rights violations perpetrated against the Ezidi people. Despite promises of justice from the Iraqi government, little tangible progress has been made in holding perpetrators accountable for their heinous actions. The closure of UNITAD prematurely further exacerbates the sense of abandonment felt by Ezidi survivors, who continue to seek closure and redress for their suffering.

The establishment of a dedicated UN investigative team, like UNITAD, demonstrates the international community’s commitment to addressing the atrocities committed against the Ezidi people. By leveraging international expertise and resources, UNITAD plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the aspirations of Ezidi survivors for justice and the failures of the Iraqi government to deliver it.

However, skepticism persists regarding the effectiveness of UNITAD and the broader international community’s commitment to ensuring justice for the Ezidis. Despite the gravity of the crimes committed against the Ezidis, powerful states and the international community have shown a lack of urgency in pursuing accountability measures comparable to those established for other conflicts, such as the tribunals in Rwanda and Yugoslavia.

This disparity raises troubling questions about the political motivations and priorities of the international community. The absence of concerted efforts to establish a tribunal or similar mechanisms for prosecuting IS crimes against the Ezidi people suggests a lack of political will or interest in prioritizing justice for this marginalized people.

While UNITAD’s existence represents a step in the right direction, its limitations and the broader failures of the international community to prioritize Ezidi justice highlight the ongoing challenges in achieving accountability for mass atrocities committed in conflict zones.

As UNITAD’s mandate comes to an end prematurely, the Ezidi people are left grappling with the painful reality of impunity for the perpetrators of horrific crimes against humanity and genocide.

Inspired by article written by Timour Azhari on Reuters.