Justice for Yazidis remains a priority in Iraq’s legal agenda, according to top judicial officials. On Wednesday, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council confirmed its ongoing commitment to holding ISIS accountable for the 2014 genocide.
Speaking at a major conference in Baghdad, Chief Justice Faiq Zidan addressed a packed audience. The event marked the anniversary of the Yazidi genocide and was hosted by the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation. The American University of Baghdad co-organized the conference.
Zidan called the 2014 massacre “a deep wound in the heart of the nation.” He listed the horrors endured by the Yazidi community, including killings, abductions, and mass displacement.
Thousands of Yazidis, mostly women and children, were kidnapped when ISIS stormed Sinjar on August 3, 2014. Many remain missing. Others continue to suffer from trauma and instability.
Zidan emphasized that Iraq’s judiciary does not tolerate impunity. “The law knows no exceptions,” he said. “Justice accepts no leniency. No criminal will escape punishment in Iraq.”
The Chief Justice also praised the National Center for International Judicial Cooperation for its work in gathering evidence. Specifically, the center carefully documents testimonies of survivors using strict legal protocols. Consequently, these records prove crucial for future trials and international cooperation.
Furthermore, the center is expanding its partnerships with global judicial bodies. By strengthening these links, Iraq hopes to capture and prosecute the remaining ISIS members who fled the country.
Moreover, Zidan emphasized that Iraq remains determined to close all legal loopholes that allow criminals to walk free. Therefore, the courts are working harder than ever to deliver fair and speedy trials.
Ultimately, justice for Yazidis, he said, is not just a legal duty. Instead, it represents a national and moral obligation that Iraq must fulfill.
As people continue to observe the anniversary of the 2014 atrocities, the Iraqi judiciary promises action, not words. Zidan concluded that Iraq will serve justice for Yazidis — without compromise.
