Yezidi Children's Safe Space

The Free Yezidi Foundation has been steadfast in its commitment to seeking survivor-centered justice and reparations for the Yezidi community. Through tireless advocacy efforts and strategic partnerships, FYF works to ensure the voices of Yezidi survivors are heard and that perpetrators are held to account for their heinous crimes. Simultaneously, FYF recognizes the importance of building bridges between Yezidis and other ethnic and religious groups in Iraq to foster a more inclusive and tolerant society. Through a variety of programmatic initiatives, FYF promotes understanding, empathy, and cooperation among diverse communities. By addressing both the immediate needs of survivors and the long-term goal of reconciliation, FYF plays a vital role in promoting healing and peace in Iraq.

The Iraqi education system has long relied on rote learning, a method centered on memorization for exam success. This approach stifles creativity and critical thinking skills in students, limiting their ability to think innovatively. 

In response, FYF's English Microscholarship Access Program is designed to revolutionize education by fostering critical thinking, social cohesion, tolerance, and mental well-being among a diverse student body, many of whom have faced conflict and displacement. Rather than simply imparting knowledge, the program prioritizes the holistic development of students, encouraging them to question, analyze, and engage with the world around them.

Through this approach, the program seeks to plant the seeds for a brighter future for Iraqi youth, where their well-being and capacity to navigate complex issues are valued as essential components of their education.

FYF FINALIZES AND SHARES CRITICAL CRIME SCENE REPORTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES

The Free Yezidi Foundation's justice team is now sharing four comprehensive crime scene analytical reports, one detailed massacre report, and a series of perpetrator dossiers with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, UN investigative bodies, and Europol, in strict accordance with survivor consent protocols. FYF conducted thorough analyses and investigations across five villages in Sinjar - Tel Banat, Tel Qasab, Siba Sheikh Khidr, Gerzerik, and Tel Azir villages. Additionally, FYF meticulously examined the tragic Yezidi massacre in Qani village, compiling a comprehensive analytical report on this event and the broader assaults targeting Yezidi communities across various towns. The detailed reports and underlying evidence represent a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the Yezidi community.

Composed predominantly of Yezidi female investigators, our dedicated legal team collaborates closely with international experts to meticulously document witness testimonies and compile evidence, ensuring thoroughness and accuracy. The disclosures come after two years of hard work. Our collective aim is clear: to ensure that those responsible for the heinous crimes against the Yezidis are held accountable under the law.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE YEZIDI SURVIVORS LAW

March 1st marks the 3rd anniversary of the passage of the Iraqi Yezidi Survivors Law - a groundbreaking reparation program for Yezidi, Turkmen, Shabak, and Christian survivors of ISIS atrocities. The YSL is a significant step for justice. It acknowledges international crimes perpetrated by ISIS against the four ethnic and religious minority communities. It also combines broader reparation measures, including accountability and memorialization, with individual measures, including monthly payments and housing.

While commendable progress has been made, avenues for improvement persist. FYF extends an invitation to our partners to delve into our comprehensive report on the application process, which outlines the first year’s successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.

YEZIDIS CELEBRATE KHIDR ELIAS

Every year, on the first Thursday of the Lunar Calendar of February, Yezidis come together to honor the sacred Khidr Elias holiday through festivities that last for two days. As one of the oldest and holiest festivals, Khidr Elias holds a special place in the hearts of Yezidi people, brimming with cherished customs and traditions.

A highlight of this celebration is the sumptuous feast featuring "Qalatik" or "Qalanduk" (in Sinjar) – delightful fried grains. Households bustle with excitement as seven types of grains, including wheat, barley, peas, chickpeas, lentils, watermelon seeds, and sunflower seeds, sizzle to perfection.

Rooted in the reverence for nature and its profound influence on humanity, the Yezidi religion beautifully intertwines its holidays and rituals with the rhythms of the seasons, marking transitions and the passage of time.

Thank you, as always, for your steadfast support of FYF and the Yezidi community.

Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation

As we kick off 2024, FYF is actively engaged both on the ground in Iraq and within the international community, working tirelessly to comprehensively address the enduring repercussions of the Yezidi genocide on a community that remains displaced and traumatized. In Iraq, FYF is implementing targeted initiatives to provide immediate relief, holistic support, and sustainable resources to those affected. This includes efforts to facilitate access to education and mental healthcare and foster economic empowerment. Simultaneously, FYF is a vocal advocate on the global stage, raising awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by the Yezidi community and advocating for sustained international support. Through a holistic approach, FYF strives to address not only the immediate needs but also the long-term well-being and resilience of the Yezidi people in the aftermath of genocide.

FYF RAMPS UP EDUCATION INITIATIVES FOR CONFLICT-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES 

FYF is proud to launch it's new English Access Microscholarship Program in Sheikhan, made possible by the generous support of the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil.

This vital educational initiative aims to empower 144 students from different ethnic and religious backgrounds with English Language, Digital Literacy, and Professional and Personal Development, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to shape a brighter future.

In December, 65 bright minds graduated from FYF's second semester of education courses at its Enterprise and Training Center in Khanke, Duhok. Students dedicated 3 months to mastering English, Arabic, IT, and professional development classes.

At FYF, we’re committed to fostering opportunities for displaced and vulnerable individuals to enhance their knowledge, paving the way for higher education and future career success. 

SUPPORTING THE YEZIDI COMMUNITY 10 YEARS AFTER GENOCIDE 

On January 29, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide hosted a discussion on the current challenges facing the Yezidi community and possible ways to strengthen their ability to recover from genocide. 

As a participant in this event, I underscored critical issues facing the Yezidi community. Specifically, I drew attention to the persistent lack of investment in the community's rebuilding, the transient and unsustainable nature of the aid that reaches them, and the alarming figure of over 2,600 still-missing Yezidi women and children. My emphasis extended to the gendered dimension of genocide and displacement, where I highlighted the apprehensions of many Yezidi women and girls about returning to Sinjar due to the potential loss of acquired rights during displacement.

Meet Eman from Sinjar – a resilient Yezidi woman crafting joy through sweets. Despite the challenges of the 2014 Yezidi Genocide and her family's ongoing displacement, Eman found solace at FYF's Enterprise and Training Center.

In 2021, she joined the Free Yezidi Foundation's bakery training courses. Now, Eman and her fellow female bakers spread joy and happiness through their delicious baked goods.

Join us in celebrating Yezidi women's hope, resilience, and joy of creating something sweet in the face of adversity.

BURIAL CEREMONY FOR 41 YEZIDI GENOCIDE VICTIMS

This month, the families of 41 victims of the Yezidi Genocide in Qani, Hardan, and Kocho villages finally laid their remains to rest. A ceremony honoring their lives took place at the Yezidi Genocide Memorial in Solagh, Sinjar.

These burial ceremonies serve as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of the genocide on the Yezidi community. The urgent imperative to exhume, identify, and return victims to their families underscores the need for collective healing. Providing a proper resting place for the departed allows survivors to begin their journey towards solace and closure.

Thank you, as always, for your steadfast support of FYF and the Yezidi community.

Sincerely,

Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation