Yazidi Genocide Anniversary Highlights Ongoing Justice, Displacement Challenges

August 3, 2025, marks the 11th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide perpetrated by ISIS in Sinjar, Iraq, where thousands of Yazidis were killed, abducted, and subjected to sexual slavery and forced labor. Despite the passage of time, over 2,600 Yazidi women and children remain missing, and justice remains elusive, with many survivors still unable to access reparations or adequate support due to bureaucratic and systemic challenges. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and various NGO coalitions emphasize the urgent need for both material and moral reparations from the Iraqi government, as well as the rebuilding of Shengal and ensuring a dignified life for its people. Historical accounts highlight the betrayal by some Kurdish forces during the initial ISIS assault, which exacerbated the scale of the atrocities. Experts and community leaders stress the importance of Yazidis establishing self-defense and self-governance to secure their safety and future. The genocide and ongoing persecution have been recognized internationally as crimes against humanity, but the global response has fallen short of preventing further atrocities or providing full justice for the victims.