Genocide in Syria

ISIS is committing genocide and other international crimes against the Yazidi minority in Iraq and Syria, as determined by the latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. According to the Commission, at least 3,200 Yazidi women and children remain in the hands of ISIS, and thousands of Yazidi men and boys are missing, meaning that “[t]he genocide of the Yazidis is ongoing.” The Commission’s report also underscores an important realization – that the logic, nature, and commission of genocide is highly gendered – and that legal, policy and humanitarian responses must take account of this reality.

Come hear from the chief analyst for the report, Sareta Ashraph. Sareta is SLS’ inaugural Global Practitioner in Residence. For much of her career, Sareta has worked to uncover the truth behind some of the worst conflicts in the world. She has investigated human rights abuses including murder, torture, and rape, and has spoken to people traumatized by what they have seen and experienced. Since April 2012, she has been the Chief Legal Analyst on the international independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. She is primarily responsible for the Commission’s analysis of alleged breaches of international law by Government forces, anti-Government armed groups, Kurdish armed groups, and extremist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham. She is the principal drafter of the Commission’s reports, and most recently researched and drafted the Commission’s report “They Came to Destroy: ISIS Crimes against the Yazidis, which determined that ISIS was, and is, committing the crime of genocide. She is heavily involved in efforts to advocate for a Security Council referral to the International Criminal Court, or an ad hoc tribunal.