Paris Workshop: International Investigations into Finding Missing Yazidis Women

Paris Workshop on the Yazidi Genocide

Workshop Title:

International Investigations into Finding Missing Yazidis Women

Date and Location:

Paris Workshop: November 9, 2024,  72 rue Victor Hugo 93500 Pantin, Metro 5 Eglise de Pantin Paris, France 

Background:

The Yazidi community, an ethno-religious minority primarily based in Iraq, has faced severe persecution and violence, culminating in acts recognized as genocide by various international bodies. Since the August 2014 ISIS attacks, thousands of Yazidi women and girls have been kidnapped, subjected to violence, and are still missing. Although the genocide has been internationally acknowledged, there is an urgent need to locate these missing individuals and reunite them with their families.

This workshop in Paris, initiated by Northern Justice Watch (NJW), aims to focus specifically on the international investigation efforts required to locate missing Yazidi women and girls, foster collaboration among international experts, and develop a roadmap for sustained action.

Workshop Objectives:

• Develop a collaborative roadmap to locate missing Yazidi women and girls.
• Engage international partners and secure the necessary resources for an effective investigation.
• Tackle the legal, logistical, and emotional challenges involved in identifying missing persons.
• Establish a working group to drive forward accountability initiatives, including legal experts and community representatives.
• Explore avenues for advocacy and raising awareness to ensure sustained international support for these efforts.

Resource Mobilization and Team Building:

• Identify financial resources and potential funding sources to support investigative efforts.
• Create a dedicated team to oversee the implementation of the roadmap and to continue the work beyond the workshop.
• Facilitate a space for participants to share insights and forge partnerships to support these goals.

Workshop Format:

This workshop will function as a round-table discussion, allowing for direct interaction and collaborative problem-solving among participants. The focus will be on developing a practical roadmap for addressing the challenges facing the Yazidi community. The key activities include:

• Round-Table Discussion:
  • Focused sessions to collaboratively draft a roadmap for investigations into missing persons and strategies for achieving justice. Discussions will be participant-driven, with an emphasis on generating actionable ideas and forming task-specific teams.
• Team Formation and Strategy
  • Development: Participants will form smaller working groups dedicated to specific areas, such as investigative techniques and resource mobilization. These groups will outline action plans and define roles and responsibilities.
• Resource Identification and Partnerships:
  • Discussions on potential funding sources, partnerships with international organizations, and opportunities for technical support to sustain the initiatives proposed during the workshop.
• Roadmap Presentation:
  • Each working group will present their proposed roadmap and strategies, fostering a shared vision and commitment to the next steps.

Participants:

The workshop will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including:

• Survivors and representatives of the Yazidi community.
• International legal experts and human rights advocates.
• Journalists covering human rights and justice issues.
• Representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations.
  Academics, students, and researchers specializing in human rights, international law, and transitional justice.
• Government officials and policymakers committed to advancing human rights and accountability.

Conclusion:

This Paris workshop represents a critical step towards addressing the ongoing impacts of the Yazidi genocide. By focusing on the development of a roadmap for investigations and justice efforts, the workshop seeks to empower a community of advocates committed to defending human dignity and ensuring accountability. Through collective action and dialogue, we can work towards a future where such atrocities are not repeated, and where the voices of the Yazidi people are heard and respected on the global stage.

For more information, please contact Northern Justice Watch:

Email: info@northernjusticewatch.org

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